Oppose Shifting Pollution Cleanup Costs to Taxpayers

I am writing to express my deep concern about the potential shift of pollution cleanup costs from responsible corporations to American taxpayers. This issue is not just an environmental concern, but a matter of economic justice and public health that affects every citizen in our nation. The principle of "polluter pays" has long been a cornerstone of environmental policy in the United States. It ensures that those who profit from activities that harm our environment are held accountable for the cleanup. Shifting this burden to taxpayers is not only unfair but also removes a critical incentive for companies to adopt cleaner, more sustainable practices. Consider the Superfund program, established in 1980, which has been crucial in cleaning up some of the nation's most contaminated sites. Originally, this program was primarily funded by taxes on polluting industries. However, since these taxes expired in 1995, the burden has increasingly fallen on general tax revenues. This change has slowed cleanup efforts and left many communities living with the health risks of nearby contaminated sites. The economic impact of such a shift would be significant. American families are already struggling with rising costs of living. Adding the expense of corporate pollution cleanup to their tax burden is both unjust and economically unsound. Moreover, it could lead to reduced funding for other essential public services as resources are diverted to address environmental damage caused by private entities. I urge you to take a strong stance against any legislation or policy that would further shift the cost of pollution cleanup from corporations to taxpayers. Instead, please support measures that reinstate and strengthen "polluter pays" principles. This could include reauthorizing Superfund taxes on polluting industries or introducing new legislation that ensures corporations are held financially responsible for environmental damage they cause. Protecting our environment and public health should not come at the expense of American taxpayers. By maintaining corporate accountability for pollution, we can ensure a cleaner environment, healthier communities, and a more just economic system for all Americans.