The EPA just removed a rule that mining companies have to keep money on hand to pay for toxic waste spills. This makes me extremely angry. Why? Toxic waste from mines is really toxic and poisons groundwater for miles around and it poisons streams and rivers for many, many miles. This harms animals, people, and the environment in general. It’s infuriating. It’s allowing mining companies to get away from being required to clean up after themselves AND it removes an incentive for them to mine more carefully (they won’t have to spend the money they set aside if they are careful). They claim that the money is unnecessary but they are being disingenuous. They know full well that each mine will be set up as a company in itself, legally, which means that the parent company has no responsibility. Therefore, the mine can go bankrupt before cleaning up. Just another American business practice which allows polluting companies to get away with their activities. The current Republican administration EPA knows this full well. Disgusting isn’t it?
