Oil spill highlights importance of holding companies accountable

While we are still coming to terms with the magnitude of the damage caused by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the incident highlights the needs to hold companies accountable for environmental problems that occur on their watch. It’s important that BP is held accountable for the damage the oil spill causes, and the federal government should move quickly to work with BP to contain the environmental damage the spill will cause. Protecting the environment has always been a priority throughout my career, and I’ve worked to ensure that companies are responsible for the ecological impact of their activities.

As a US Attorney, I held manufacturers and municipalities responsible for illegally and improperly discharging hazardous materials into the region’s waters. In 2006, I negotiated a historic $20 million settlement with a Merck manufacturing plant in Wissahickon that was releasing dangerous chemicals into a local waterway. These chemicals killed thousands of fish, prevented local residents from enjoying recreational activities along the waterway for months, and forced the Philadelphia Water Department to temporarily shut down its Schuylkill River drinking water intake.

Merck agreed to pay to improve its safety measures at its facility and paid millions in fines and damages. As I said at the time, “No one should have to wonder, when they walk into their kitchen for a glass of water, if what they are about to drink is going to make them or their children sick.”

In another case, I reached a settlement with the city of Reading for violations of the Clean Air Act. Reading’s aging wastewater treatment facility was discharging pollutants into the Schuylkill River. The city agreed to upgrade its water treatment system, pay for an extensive restoration of the affected area and finance several additional projects designed to protect aquatic life and comply with environmental regulations and discharge limits.

The Gulf oil spill is a huge environmental challenge, and I fear that the costs and ecological impact of the spill will only get worse. As a Congressman, I will continue to fight to protect our environment and preserve our planet because we owe it to our children to ensure they inherit an environmentally safe, clean and sustainable Earth.