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EPA Midwest administrator Mary Gade has been forced to resign her post. Last summer, Gade invoked emergency powers against Dow Chemical to force the company to clean up three toxic hotspots near their Midlands, Michigan headquarters. She had been fighting the company for years over dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment that extends 50 miles beyond the Midlands plant and into Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. And when tests revealed that dioxin levels in along a park in Saginaw were the highest in the nation, she ordered more dredging. Dow and the EPA had been working out a deal over the cleanup, but Gade ended those negotiations in January, saying that Dow wasn't taking the steps necessary to protect public health. Company officials appealed to Washington, and Gade was forced from her position yesterday.
Gade, who was appointed to the EPA post by President Bush in 2006, led the Illinois EPA under former Governor Jim Thompson. "She is very committed to the environment, but she's not a fanatic," he told the Tribune. The former corporate attorney won praise from both politicians and environmentalists as someone who could bring together businesses and environmental groups. "We have a responsibility to make sure people are living in a healthy and safe environment," Gade said. "This problem has been out there for more than 30 years, and it's unconscionable that action hasn't been taken." Her departure leaves open the question of when dioxins in the state of Michigan will finally be cleaned up.
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What a shame. By all accounts she was a very competent administrator for region 5, which to my knowledge has a pretty good record (at least as far as the rest of the EPA is concerned) for pushing for enforcement and clean up. Dioxin is nasty nasty stuff, and it's a shame Dow was able to pull political strings and slip out of the noose once again.
Based only I've what I read so far, this is extremely disturbing, as it seems to give confidence to those companies and people who would put selfish interests over the greater environmental good. She seemed pragmatic, fair and tough and not overly ideological, clearly the wrong character traits for the Bush Administration.
At the center of the latest dispute was Gade, who as a corporate attorney had represented big companies like Dow against environmental regulators. Her aggressive action against Dow surprised the company, local activists and her Washington bosses. But she still won high marks from EPA officials during her last performance evaluation.
Obviously, she was appointed to this position because as a former corporate attorney, they figured she would be a pushover and go easy on the Dows of the world. When, in fact, it turned out she wasn't going to play ball and took her responsibilities to the American people seriously (earning high marks in the process), she was then forced out for political reasons...
The EPA has become a fucking joke under Bush...
Great way to put it, Pinko.
And let's not forget the plight of Christine Whitman a few years back.
"Obviously, she was appointed to this position because as a former corporate attorney, they figured she would be a pushover and go easy on the Dows of the world. When, in fact, it turned out she wasn't going to play ball and took her responsibilities to the American people seriously (earning high marks in the process), she was then forced out for political reasons...
The EPA has become a fucking joke under Bush"
Yeah Pinko, Obviously! right?! Doesn't get much more clear than that, you're so smart you should be running something of importance.
Oh, that's right you just make things up and call it fact...and on that note your arrogance on everything in astounding.
Mepps: OK, explain Whitman's resignation.
And the Bush administration reaction to states' rights when it comes to clean air and mileage laws.
If I have misinterpreted your comments, I apologize in advance, but you seem to be defending Bush's EPA.
I'm not, but I'm also missing the section where Bush has been charged with misconduct to have asked for the resignation.
It's not so much the speculation, but the finality with which it is said. Especially coming from Pinko who is acting like he has a final say in the matter, who also several days ago came out of the closet as a revisionist. I therefore would think 3-4 times before I listen to him.
Ok, Mepps.
But I think the "revisionist" thing was a mistake, if my memory is correct, and every citizen has a right to say their leaders suck, don't they? Let's be honest: We all act, at one time or another, as though we have the final say. In fact, you are doing so here.
Meh, thats what I say.
It might have been a mistake, but at the same time to then call other people revisionists because you are evidently so right and superior in your analysis, and then in actual reality to be absolutely dead wrong- a little beyond a mistake.
And no, I'm advocating openness, not saying 'my way is right'.
Oh, that's right you just make things up and call it fact...and on that note your arrogance on everything in astounding.
I'm also willing to humbly admit when I'm wrong, aren't I? Which is more than I can say about you, asshole:
Why do you think they were released the very day Reagan took office? The students knew consequences would be coming soon.
Talk about revisionism. But then I should have remembered that for neocons like you, Reagan was the second coming of Christ...
Stop taking yourself and this board so fucking seriously. I know you feel persecuted in this forum because Chicagoist doesn't pander to Bush apologists like you, but deal with it. There's a reason why he has historically low ratings. Coming to his defense as vociferously and often as you do only makes you look more ignorant and pathetic than you already are....
I stand by my previous opinion above. The fact that it incenses you so much only serves to please me immensely...