By Adam Allington

Today, the Senate subcommittee that oversees the EPA’s Superfund program is scheduled to hold a hearing on the program’s work. Under EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the agency is refocusing its attention on these sites. Some claim that Pruitt’s sudden interest in Superfund is really a strategy to shift EPA’s focus away from climate change. “Look at this shiny new object, it’s small. And ignore the pulsating, big object next to you,” says University of Chicago economist Michael Greenstone, who argues that Superfund cleanups are a relatively small part of EPA’s function and will become even smaller if White House budget cuts are approved by Congress. “Budgeting is about priorities, and I think the risks from climate change are currently greater than the risks from Superfund sites.”

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Areas of Focus: Climate Change
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Climate Change
Climate change is an urgent global challenge. EPIC research is helping to assess its impacts, quantify its costs, and identify an efficient set of policies to reduce emissions and adapt...
Climate Law & Policy
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Climate Law & Policy
As countries around the world implement policies to confront climate change, EPIC research is calculating which policies will have the most impact for the least cost.
Environment
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Environment
Producing and using energy damages people’s health and the environment. EPIC research is quantifying the social costs of energy choices and uncovering policies that help protect health while facilitating growth.
Environmental Health
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Environmental Health
Energy and industrial processes introduce toxins into the environment. EPIC research is helping to educate policymakers and consumers on the social and economic costs of this pollution, and the potential...