For Immediate Release:                                 Contacts: Lois Gibbs, CHEJ, 703-627-9483

April 8, 2004                                                   Julie Wolk, U.S. PIRG, 202-546-9707

                                                                        Annie Strickler, SC, 202-675-2384

                                                                        Dave King, NET, 202-887-8800

 

Groups Across U.S. To Gather at Post Offices on Tax Day, April 15^th.

Call on Polluters–Not Taxpayers–To Pay for Clean Up of Toxic Sites

 Taxpayers Will Pay Upwards of $1.27 Billion for Superfund Program

Bush Administration Failing to Hold Corporate Polluters Responsible

 

(Washington, DC) On April 15^th at dozens of Post Offices across the country last minute tax filers will be greeted by people concerned that their tax dollars are paying for the clean up of Superfund toxic waste sites, while polluters are let off the hook.  Armed with the message that polluters—not taxpayers—should pay for the clean up of toxic sites, people will be educating their community about the increasing costs the Bush administration is charging taxpayers with the release of a new state-by-state Tax Analysis by U.S. PIRG outlining the cost of Superfund to taxpayers.

 

The BE SAFE network, including the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, National Environmental Trust, Sierra Club, U.S. PIRG, and many state and local groups, are holding over forty “Polluter Pay Tax Day” events and media activities in twenty-six states to remind taxpayers that they are now footing the bill to clean up abandoned toxic sites and urge reinstatement of the “polluter pay” taxes to replenish the Federal Superfund. BE SAFE promotes protection of public health and the environment through a precautionary approach and “polluter pay” policies.

Groups will gather outside Post Offices holding signs stating: “Make Polluters–Not Taxpayers–Pay to Clean Up Toxic Waste,” and “Our Health. Our Tax Dollars. Their Toxic Waste. Make Polluters Pay,” and distribute “polluter pay” stickers for people to place on their IRS envelope.  Visit www.besafenet.com/superfund or see attached Calendar of Events for information on activities in AK, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, NV, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VT, VA, WI and Washington, DC.