EPA Administrator Pruitt to visit East Chicago with Indiana elected officials
Washington, D.C.– Responding to the requests from a bipartisan cohort of Indiana elected officials, newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has announced he will visit the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago on April 19.
Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young, Congressman Pete Visclosky and Governor Eric J. Holcomb each had invited Administrator Pruitt to visit the site after his appointment to the position. The area of concern has been the focus for local, state and federal officials since the magnitude of the environmental contamination became clear.
“I appreciate Administrator Pruitt’s willingness to visit the East Chicago community,” said Governor Holcomb. “From the onset I’ve pledged to bring all that is at our disposal to bear, and we’re continuing to work through the executive order to coordinate services and response efforts with local, state and federal partners. Together we remain vigilant in identifying needs, pursuing additional resources and continuing relocation efforts for affected residents.”
“I thank Senator Donnelly, Senator Young, and Governor Holcomb for their leadership on this issue, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Mayor Copeland on addressing the immediate needs of East Chicago residents and remedying the underlying environmental issues,” Representative Visclosky said. “I am pleased that Administrator Pruitt is taking the time to see first-hand the individuals of the Calumet community who are in need of his agency’s deliberate attention and fulsome work.”
“This administration has shown that it wants to bring a swift resolution to a problem that has lingered for too long,” said Senator Young, who will be making his third visit to East Chicago. “Administrator Pruitt has not only pledged to visit the site, but also to ensure his agency is working closely with city and state officials to develop and execute a coordinated plan.”
“I’m very pleased that Administrator Pruitt has taken us up on our invitation to visit East Chicago to see the Superfund site and to hear directly from residents,” Senator Donnelly said. “Hundreds of Hoosier families have had to leave their homes and others are now worried about how their own backyards may be impacting their health. The federal government needs to get this cleanup right, and visiting will provide Administrator Pruitt with a first-hand perspective of the challenges residents are facing and help him understand the situation.”
A copy of Governor Holcomb’s executive order is available at www.HealthyEastChicago.com. Details of Pruitt’s visit to East Chicago will be announced at a later date.