Over the past four years, there has been steady progress towards cleaner
air and water, sustained by the commitment of Congress and the
Administration to these important national objectives. In addition, the
Administration has developed several new pollution compliance approaches
such as alternative and innovative waste water treatment projects, the
"bubble" concept, the "offset" policy, and permit consolidation, all of
which are designed to reduce regulatory burdens on the private sector.
One of the most pressing problems to come to light in the past four years
has been improper hazardous waste disposal. The Administration has moved on
three fronts. First, we proposed the Oil Hazardous Substances and Hazardous
Waste Response, Liability and Compensation Act (the Superfund bill) to
provide comprehensive authority and $1.6 billion in funds to clean up
abandoned hazardous waste disposal sites. In November 1980 the Congress
passed a Superfund bill which I signed into law.
Second, the administration established a hazardous waste enforcement strike
force to ensure that when available, responsible parties are required to
clean up sites posing dangers to public health and to the environment. To
date, 50 lawsuits have been brought by the strike force.
Third, regulations implementing subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act were issued. The regulations establish comprehensive controls
for hazardous waste and, together with vigorous enforcement, will help to
ensure that Love Canal will not be repeated.