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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:2,551 Points:1,229,530 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 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,395 Points:1,349,180 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 11:40:25 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse Gas prices? No.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:15,332 Points:922,180 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:3,342 Points:1,112,955 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 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,338 Points:945,555 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 Champion Author Tacoma Posts:3,406 Points:678,510 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:9,931 Points:1,270,610 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:368,415 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:368,415 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 10:20:23 PM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse Just another article from environmental extremists.
orestroker Champion Author Portland Posts:1,080 Points:880,145 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:4,368 Points:1,226,920 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:6,053 Points:1,722,715 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:5,198 Points:1,364,990 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:3,884 Points:813,995 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:6,784 Points:687,195 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:956 Points:169,140 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:1,275 Points:480,960 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:704 Points:230,680 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:27:45 PM Ignore rfe330 Report Abuse OK
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,292 Points:1,189,880 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:6,292 Points:1,189,880 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:3,064 Points:946,175 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 Veteran Author Detroit Posts:453 Points:1,019,125 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 9:12:27 PM Ignore ARROWHEAD Report Abuse So whats new?
wiwhite87 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,230 Points:484,155 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 Champion Author Delaware Posts:1,175 Points:254,715 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:4,706 Points:980,350 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:4,516 Points:1,418,860 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:3,693 Points:703,110 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:6,172 Points:1,163,885 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:4,623 Points:738,520 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 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,656 Points:841,685 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:4,659 Points:953,210 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:5,982 Points:1,364,170 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:7,947 Points:1,621,420 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:6,045 Points:1,815,440 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:5,175 Points:1,040,065 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:6,058 Points:1,431,020 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:9,417 Points:737,260 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:5,555 Points:1,067,345 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:5,291 Points:893,660 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:4,360 Points:942,500 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:16:29 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse Sad!
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,651 Points:1,490,920 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:16:19 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse bah
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:5,198 Points:1,065,800 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2010 8:12:37 PM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse sounds like politics
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 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:3,230 Points:819,140 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:873 Points:257,525 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:4,862 Points:1,095,525 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:8,493 Points:820,625 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:7,025 Points:2,000,050 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:6,773 Points:1,654,985 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!