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Rulings Restrict Clean Water Act, Foiling E.P.A.

nytimes.com -- Thousands of the nation’s largest water polluters are outside the Clean Water Act’s reach because the Supreme Court has left uncertain which waterways are protected by that law, according to interviews with regulators.

As a result, some businesses are declaring that the law no longer applies to them. And pollution rates are rising.

Companies that have spilled oil, carcinogens and dangerous bacteria into lakes, rivers and other waters are not being prosecuted, according to Environmental Protection Agency regulators working on those cases, who estimate that more than 1,500 major pollution investigations have been discontinued or shelved in the last four years.

excerpt...More than 200 oil spill cases were delayed as of 2008, according to a memorandum written by an E.P.A. official

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Submitted Mar 21, 2010 By: teafortwo

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Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,090 Points:752,355 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 12:17:17 AM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse The government needs to close up the loopholes that these companies are getting through. GREED never sleeps and is always looking for a way to capitalize on Government weakness.
signwiz All-Star Author Indiana Posts:995 Points:903,730 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 11:40:25 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse Gas prices? No.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:3,497 Points:389,060 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 11:22:31 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Ever hear the old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? The costs of cleaning up this type of contamination are staggering and often times impossible. And that does not even start to address the personal health costs. So what does allowing irresponsible companies use a technical loophole to get away with dumping oil and other toxins into our water supply have to do with you and the price of gas? Just about everything.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:1,206 Points:637,310 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:50:54 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Politicians could change this so the EPA could react immediately and with force if there were any politicians with balls. This really tells you what large corporations think about the health of you and your family. They want your money but they don't seem to be smart enough to realize that if they sicken or kill off enough people that they are losing customers.
FuelOilOH All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:997 Points:544,785 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:38:40 PM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse I work in the city that had the burning river back in the 60's. Overall it's a lot better now. Where are the local authorities while all this is going on? Isn't it generally against the law to dump oil onto the ground or into a sewer?
rippertoo All-Star Author Tacoma Posts:608 Points:130,235 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:34:48 PM Ignore rippertoo Report Abuse Not really about fuel prices but no surprise here. This extremist court is nothing more than a joke and has made very few rulings that help anyone but the big corporations.
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,441 Points:1,045,735 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:31:01 PM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse So, is this based on "science" or politics?
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:21:36 PM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse I agree this has nothing to do with the price of gas.
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:20:23 PM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse Just another article from environmental extremists.
orestroker All-Star Author Portland Posts:618 Points:677,780 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:18:06 PM Ignore orestroker Report Abuse Uncertainty has never stopped the feds from applying laws and suing businesses before; why now?
ChuckGVT Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,912 Points:695,845 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:17:37 PM Ignore ChuckGVT Report Abuse Damn greenie topic that has nothing to do with the price of gas.
egd Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,882 Points:1,299,010 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:15:45 PM Ignore egd Report Abuse Supreme Court 5 Citizens 0
jjw0608 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,327 Points:991,045 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:15:05 PM Ignore jjw0608 Report Abuse So why has gss gone up?
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:1,488 Points:309,240 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:14:06 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse The E.P.A. needs to get on the stick. What are you getting paid to do? Just report and not do anything? Nice work!
paulydel Champion Author Delaware Posts:4,028 Points:449,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:03:42 PM Ignore paulydel Report Abuse The US Supreme Court has made at least two major decisions that are really really stupid this being one of them. All companies disposing of hazardous waste need to be made accountable. The other stupid mistake was to say that enemy combatants have Constitutional rights. [Edited by: paulydel at 3/21/2010 10:04:39 PM EST]
TheWindsock All-Star Author San Francisco Posts:942 Points:165,085 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:59:13 PM Ignore TheWindsock Report Abuse Yall jest don't "get it"... well... if you ever do... it will be to late for you anyway! ^ "More than 200 oil spill " Hmmm... nothing to do with fossil fuels... ya right. ^ Any cost to business is past onto you... ie: court-fines etc. and yall say it has nothing to do with "high" gas prices...?
tnsilvertip Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,199 Points:444,890 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:30:02 PM Ignore tnsilvertip Report Abuse Ditto Number43
rfe330 All-Star Author Winston-Salem Posts:700 Points:229,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:27:45 PM Ignore rfe330 Report Abuse OK
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,316 Points:642,525 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:21:42 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse This has nothing to do with high gas prices.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,316 Points:642,525 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:20:59 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse Waste of my time.
Fencemaker Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,869 Points:697,965 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:20:57 PM Ignore Fencemaker Report Abuse To anyone in the environmental field, this isn't news
ARROWHEAD Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:112 Points:835,600 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:12:27 PM Ignore ARROWHEAD Report Abuse So whats new?
wiwhite87 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:981 Points:97,450 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:09:21 PM Ignore wiwhite87 Report Abuse People finding a loophole in a poorly written law. Rewrite the law now so the intent is covered. No one wants discharges washing around the environment since its inevitable to cuase greater harm and impact that will have to be cleaned up if it doesn't affect, kill, or injure people forever.
plebe2001de All-Star Author Delaware Posts:889 Points:185,815 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:06:46 PM Ignore plebe2001de Report Abuse In most states the state law still controls pollution of waterways.
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,099 Points:466,725 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:05:46 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse Leave it to the idiots of the Supreme Court to destroy the US. This was the same court that gives greater rights to corporations while taking rights away from citizens.
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:1,946 Points:961,400 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:03:29 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse Because of state and federal cutbacks less is being done,America must not allow this country to suffer in this way.
mackconsult Champion Author Portland Posts:1,116 Points:245,755 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:59:03 PM Ignore mackconsult Report Abuse There should be severe punishments for this
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,421 Points:619,855 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:56:11 PM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Just like the Feds to screw it up
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,340 Points:213,110 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:54:37 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse I only want clean water for my children and their grandchildren. If you do not want clean water for your future offspring please tell me why. I would love to hear why our children should not drink clean water.
regasaz All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:977 Points:311,710 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:53:29 PM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse And from this same Congressional pool come the Dummies that think they can run Health Care.
brus282 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,611 Points:939,350 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:52:23 PM Ignore brus282 Report Abuse this congress couldn't get out of it's own way, they are stuck in socialism reverse
DellMan Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,917 Points:442,925 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:51:19 PM Ignore DellMan Report Abuse It sounds like the EPA tried to stretch the rules a little too far and got their hand slapped, typical EPA trying to go too far.
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:4,106 Points:989,735 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:49:03 PM Ignore mplato Report Abuse lol.....thats one more strike for the dummies in DC
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,282 Points:1,260,845 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:38:11 PM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse Congress will need to amend the Clean Water Act to specify which water bodies should be regulated before we poison ourselves and, worse, our children with lead-induced retardation. Those Buddies who are not concerned may have already drunk too much lead and other heavy metals. [Edited by: CruisinLinda at 3/21/2010 8:39:23 PM EST]
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,625 Points:1,293,550 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:36:56 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Sounds like a form of graft or political cronyism.
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,609 Points:563,715 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:36:07 PM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse The original law was specific as to which waterways. The proposed language change seems to go slightly over the line intended by Congress. We'll see what eventually comes out of Washington.
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:3,651 Points:916,490 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:30:05 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse I agree with Rick52
Rick52 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,260 Points:280,105 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:27:09 PM Ignore Rick52 Report Abuse How about a Clean Congress Act !!!!!!!!
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,811 Points:525,125 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:27:05 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse Things could be cleaner but they also produce jobs.
netman044 Champion Author Texas Posts:3,781 Points:635,135 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:20:21 PM Ignore netman044 Report Abuse They don't have any trouble determining who has to adhere to EPA regulations for automobile emissions and fuel economy.
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:1,990 Points:419,480 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:16:29 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse Sad!
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,455 Points:1,032,710 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:16:19 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse bah
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,674 Points:564,795 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:12:37 PM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse sounds like politics
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,318 Points:484,920 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:11:58 PM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse It's the job of lobbyists to arrange for loopholes for their sponsors. This shows they are doing their jobs.
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,187 Points:411,800 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:05:14 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse All waterways should be protected!!
Daveyfudd All-Star Author Jackson Posts:868 Points:210,500 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:04:22 PM Ignore Daveyfudd Report Abuse The Feds never do anything right. Their latest boondoggle will be the Health Care Scam Bill being voted on tonight.
nozzle46 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,292 Points:589,730 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:00:25 PM Ignore nozzle46 Report Abuse Gee, here's an idea, protect all waterways.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:4,005 Points:273,175 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 7:57:26 PM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse One drop of oil can contaminate 100,000 liters of water.
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:4,342 Points:1,465,315 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 7:49:37 PM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse Oil spills have been a problem for years!
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,799 Points:1,114,060 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 7:41:08 PM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse Heysailor wrote: "...Big Business from renewing their raping and pillaging of the country's natural resources." Wow, some people have a strange vision of corporations in America, which are the lifeblood of the economy. I think Heysailor's vision is an enormous monster of the likes that would make Godzilla pee in his pants and go running back to Japan!