It appears that the Environmental Protection Agency delayed any actions on drinking water safety due to pressure from the American Chemical Association, a trade lobby, according to a Feb. 13 report released by the Center for Public Integrity.
In 2010, EPA scientists discovered that a chemical compound named hexavalent chromium, which is commonly found in small doses in tap water, likely causes cancer.
More than 70 million Americans can be digesting this chemical on a daily basis. Thus, in 2011 the EPA was poised to mandate stricter drinking water standards until the American Chemistry Council - the chemical industry's lobbying group - stepped in to urge the government agency to wait for more research before taking any action.
According to SourceWatch, ACC represents more than 150 companies and has an operating budget of over $100 million a year. It sends millions of dollars a year to congress in campaign donations to obtain favorable regulations.
In 2012, the EPA reversed its decision pending the results of new studies costing $4 million. However, the new research is being funded by, you guessed it, the American Chemistry Council.
Additionally, three of the EPA's panelists who had urged delay of stricter drinking water regulations had previously worked for the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E).
Let's think back to the all the promises that were made about a "more transparent government". In 2008, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama said, "I am running to tell the lobbyists in Washington that their days of setting the agenda are over."
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