The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed a significant boost to the federal Superfund program, with $1 billion allocated for the cleanup of 25 toxic waste sites in 15 states. This funding, part of the $3.5 billion package from the 2021 infrastructure law, aims to address a backlog of hazardous sites such as old landfills, mines, and manufacturing facilities targeted by the 44-year-old Superfund program.
Among the long-contaminated sites slated for cleanup are a former smelting plant in East Helena, Montana; an old textile mill in Greenville, South Carolina; and a New Jersey beach area blighted by lead battery casings and other toxic material used in construction nearly 60 years ago.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, and New York are among the states with multiple projects included in this latest round of federal spending. In total, projects in 15 states, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, will receive federal funds.
The funding will not only support the cleanup of 25 new sites but also accelerate the progress of 85 ongoing Superfund projects across the United States. The EPA has committed to addressing the longstanding backlog in the Superfund program, which was established in 1980 to remediate sites contaminated with hazardous substances.
The program, which had faced funding challenges for years, has been revitalized following the implementation of a 'polluter pays' tax in the 2021 infrastructure law. This tax, in effect since 2022, is expected to generate up to $23 billion over the next five years.
According to EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, nearly 80% of the new cleanup sites announced on Tuesday are located in low-income or minority communities that are disproportionately affected by pollution. The Superfund cleanups not only help restore contaminated properties but also create job opportunities in overburdened communities.
Thousands of contaminated sites exist across the country due to improper waste management practices, including illegal dumping and inadequate containment at manufacturing sites, processing plants, landfills, and mines. The Superfund program plays a crucial role in transforming these sites, repurposing them for various uses such as public parks, retail businesses, office spaces, homes, and even solar power generation.
