Key Contacts
Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox Partner Robb Fox Testifies Before Senate Committee on Superfund Law
On April 9, 2025, MGKF Partner Robb Fox testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) during a hearing on “Improving Future Management of the Superfund Program.” Fox addressed potential reforms to streamline the Superfund Law, also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA).
The hearing focused on increasing the efficiency of Superfund cleanups by reducing delays in contracting and enforcement, while managing costs unrelated to environmental remediation. The committee also examined why federal Superfund cleanups often take longer and cost more than state-level efforts.
Fox’s testimony outlined key recommendations to better align Superfund with its goals of encouraging prompt, voluntary cleanup and ensuring that polluters pay. These include:
- Requiring EPA to adopt mandatory review timelines similar to state programs;
- Advocating for the use of more mixed funding whereby EPA pays for or performs a portion of the remedy;
- Expanding the use of EPA's "orphan share" policy to incentivize voluntary cleanup and reduce transaction costs;
- Curbing excessive EPA oversight costs, including unlimited personnel and overhead costs; and
- Streamlining the remedy selection process.
A copy of Fox’s written testimony is available here. The full hearing video can be accessed here.
