Post by Logan on Feb 4, 2016 3:12:36 GMT -6
WASHINGTON — Congressional interrogators on Wednesday sharply criticized state and federal regulators for failing to react to warnings of rising lead levels in Flint's tap water, chastising Michigan officials for not taking adequate steps to protect public health and blasting the federal EPA for not forcing the state's hand sooner.
Calling the situation in Flint "a failing at every level" of government, U.S. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, directed most of his criticism at the Environmental Protection Agency, saying there have been "festering" problems there for years and disputing Deputy Assistant Administrator Joel Beauvais' contention that responding to the Flint water crisis was the agency's highest priority.
"What evidence can you give to us that this is a high priority?" Chaffetz said, shouting at times during the hearing to make his point. "It took a year from the first (reports of high lead levels) ... before EPA issued a directive" ordering the state to implement recommendations in Flint.
"The public has a right to be outraged. Outrage doesn't even begin to cover it," said Chaffetz.
Read more: www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/02/03/live-congressional-panel-meet-flint-water-crisis/79743588/
Calling the situation in Flint "a failing at every level" of government, U.S. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, directed most of his criticism at the Environmental Protection Agency, saying there have been "festering" problems there for years and disputing Deputy Assistant Administrator Joel Beauvais' contention that responding to the Flint water crisis was the agency's highest priority.
"What evidence can you give to us that this is a high priority?" Chaffetz said, shouting at times during the hearing to make his point. "It took a year from the first (reports of high lead levels) ... before EPA issued a directive" ordering the state to implement recommendations in Flint.
"The public has a right to be outraged. Outrage doesn't even begin to cover it," said Chaffetz.
Read more: www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/02/03/live-congressional-panel-meet-flint-water-crisis/79743588/