Published November 1986 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Superfund: A Formula for Success The identification and cleanup of America's abandoned toxic waste sites under the Superfund program is one of this nation's most important environmental advances. For this reason, I was pleased that the President recently abandoned his threat of a veto and signed into law legislation passed by Congress that extends and expands the Superfund program. The key to the success of this legislation is the funding mechanism adopted by Congress: not only is the formula fair and equitable, but it also averts a catastrophe for West Virginia's chemical, steel, and oil and gas industries. Under the new Superfund program, a $9 billion program, toxic waste cleanup will be financed through a broad-based combination of corporate, petroleum, and feedstock taxes combined with general revenues. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified a variety of responsible parties at Superfund sites nationwide. These include more than 30 industries, such as electronics, furniture, farm and industrial equipment, aircraft and aerospace, computers, papers and packaging products, communications, and textiles. Furthermore, EPA has indicated that petroleum and chemical companies combined cause no more than 15 percent of the pollution found at Superfund sites. In view of this evidence, I am pleased that efforts I supported to block adoption of a straight toxic waste tax were successful. Such a tax would have proved devastating to West Virginia's basic industries, and it would have prompted the shutdown of chemical, steel, and other plants in West Virginia. The sources of hazardous waste are diverse, so the money to clean up Superfund sites should come from a variety of sources. The funding formula contained in this Superfund bill not only distributes the cost burden equitably, but it also avoids being detrimental to our trade situation. West Virginia's basic industries are facing ever increasing competition from foreign imports. The new Superfund financing mechanism recognizes the importance of maintaining the ability of our industries to compete in both the domestic and international marketplaces. That makes this program good for our country, and good for West Virginia. November 12, 1986