Compilation of lessons learned from the analysis of Superfund

Abstract

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is in the initial stages of its complex-wide environmental restoration program. This environmental restoration program is being conducted primarily under the statutory authorities of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the corrective action provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Environmental restoration at DOE facilities is expected to be a multi-billion dollar effort extending over the next 20--50 years. DOE must take necessary steps, as required by federal and state statutes and regulations, to protect human health and the environment at those facilities and operations under its purview. DOE is obligated to carry out this mission in the most effective and cost-effective manner possible, while still meeting or exceeding applicable regulatory requirements. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency primarily responsible for administering CERCLA. EPA's implementation of the Superfund program has come under considerable scrutiny and criticism over its 10-year history. Many external groups have reviewed EPA's Superfund program, identified shortcomings or deficiencies, and made numerous recommendations for its improvements. The groups reviewing EPA's Superfund program include the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), the General Accounting Office (GAO), and business and environmental organizations. The purpose of this report is to identify the issues cited by these groups that are most relevant to DOE's environmental restoration program and to discuss the implications of the studies' findings for DOE. The findings of these groups are presented because they are representative of the areas where DOE will be scrutinized in the future. DOE does not necessarily agree with the findings and conclusions of these studies. 16 refs., 1 tab.