Congressman John D. Dingell

Washington, D.C. - It has been one year since the Bush Administration promised to take action on the Canadian Waste issue, and still the White House has done nothing to help solve the growing problem in Michigan. Today, Congressmen John D. Dingell (MI-15) and Bart Stupak (MI-1) called on the Bush Administration to move forward.

Dingell and Stupak have tried to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the White House since a July 23, 2003 hearing at the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials where Members discussed three bills designed to give states the tools necessary to regulate the flow of interstate and Canadian waste. At that time, in response to questions asked by both Congressmen Dingell and Stupak, an EPA official said, "I believe that soon there will be action across the executive branch to prepare legislation." In response to further pushing by the Members, the EPA official said in reference to legislative proposals, "We will bring those forward shortly."

One year later, however, EPA and the Bush Administration have not sent legislation to the Hill for consideration. For the past eighteen months, there have been three bills pending before the Congress that would allow states to regulate interstate and international waste. The Bush Administration has refused to take a position on any of those three bills.

In addition to standing idly by as more than 180 trash trucks cross into Michigan on a daily basis, the EPA refuses to answer Congressional inquiries on this issue. On June 9, 2004, Dingell and Senator Levin wrote to EPA Administrator Leavitt asking important questions on this issue. Despite the request for an answer by June 28, EPA has not yet responded.

In April, Stupak also wrote to the Subcommittee chairman urging the committee to take up this important legislation.

“I fail to understand why the Bush Administration seems intent on making sure that Michigan remains an international dumping ground,” Dingell said. “The issue is simple; we need President Bush to recognize that Canadian trash is a major problem and either send the promised legislation to the Hill, or throw the Administration’s full support behind the three bills currently pending before the House.”

“For years, we have been asking the Subcommittee and the Bush Administration to act on this issue that directly impacts Michigan’s environment and public health and all we’ve heard is silence from their end,” said Stupak. “Meanwhile, Canada continues to use Michigan as its landfill. This is totally unacceptable.”

Representatives Dingell and Stupak also continue to push the Republican Leadership in the House to take action on any and all bills, given that there are less than 20 working days left before Congress is scheduled to adjourn.