TSCA Reform Bill Raises Doubts Over EPA Resources For Implementation

摘要

Debate over a bipartisan Senate bill to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is sparking questions over whether the agency will have adequate resources to implement the rigorous chemical testing and screening requirements the legislation would mandate, amid uncertainty over future agency funding levels. While much of die TSCA debate has focused on the bill's suite of unresolved policy issues, EPA officials and some lawmakers are beginning to consider whether the agency has sufficient funding to assess, review and regulate industrial chemicals as the bill would require without a new, industry-funded mechanism-though the Senate bill is silent on the issue and many in the chemical industry oppose calls for user fees.