Superfund: Status of EPA's Efforts to Improve Its Management and Oversight of Special Accounts. Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate

摘要

Under the Superfund program, EPA has the authority to enter into agreements with potentially responsible parties for them to conduct a cleanup at hazardous waste sites or compel potentially responsible parties to do so. EPA can also conduct cleanups itself and then seek reimbursement. EPA is authorized to retain and use funds received from settlements with these parties in interest-earning, site-specific special accounts within the Trust Fund. These accounts provide resources in addition to annual appropriations to clean up sites. The number of accounts grew slowly until 1995 when EPA encouraged their greater use. After 1995, their number and dollar value increased. EPA headquarters is responsible for overseeing its regions management of special accounts. In two reports issued in 2006 and 2009, the EPA IG made recommendations to EPA to better manage these accounts. As requested, this report examines the (1) status that is, balances, locations, and recent and planned usesof Superfund special accounts, and (2) extent to which EPAs headquarters and regions have implemented processes and policies to improve the monitoring and management of these accounts. GAO analyzed EPA Superfund program data, guidance, and strategies, and interviewed EPA officials. GAO is not making recommendations in this report. GAO provided a draft of this report to EPA for review and comment. EPA provided technical comments that were incorporated into the report, as appropriate.