NEWS: Sen. Schiff Introduces Bill to Require EPA to Examine Impact of Climate Change on Superfund Sites, Aims to Protect Vulnerable Communities

U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.-5) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced a bill to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to account for climate change risks, including natural disasters and extreme weather hazards, when managing toxic waste sites.

The legislation, Preparing Superfund for Climate Change Act of 2026, aims to strengthen protections for communities near Superfund sites - polluted locations that contain hazardous toxic waste and other contaminants harmful to public health. In 2018, the Carr Fire in Northern California burned over 300 square miles and swept over the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site - finding its way into the pipes that convey acid mine drainage and threatening to release toxic chemicals to surrounding communities.

"With the ongoing and ever-worsening climate crisis, we must take strong action to mitigate the climate risks on Superfund sites across California and the country as more and more of these toxic sites become vulnerable to natural disasters. As the EPA manages and plans the cleanup of these sites, they must account for and recognize the impacts of climate change in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the public," said Senator Schiff.

U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.-5) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"As natural disasters become more prevalent and intense due to climate change, it is critically important that we take preemptive action to protect communities near Superfund sites across the country, particularly those that are vulnerable to floods and fires," said Congressman Cleaver. "By requiring the EPA to account for climate change in their management of Superfund sites, we can safeguard American families from the toxic waste contained at these sites in the event of a disaster. I'm proud to introduce this commonsense legislation with Representative Kamlager-Dove and Senator Schiff as we seek to prevent avoidable and unnecessary tragedies."

"As the climate crisis causes more and more extreme weather, we must ensure our communities have the resources they need to be resilient," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "With 15 active EPA Superfund sites across LA County, climate-driven disasters like last year's LA Fires threaten to upend pollution cleanup efforts that keep our neighbors safe. I'm proud to join Sen. Schiff and Rep. Cleaver in introducing this legislation that would better prepare us for climate disasters and help protect our communities from toxic waste."

Reports this month from the EPA's Office of Inspector General found that 100 of the nation's most contaminated federal Superfund sites are in areas prone to flooding and wildfires. There is a total of 114 Superfund sites in California.

The Preparing Superfund For Climate Change Act would take steps to install precautions at Superfund sites and protect communities by requiring EPA to:

• Address the potential threat to human health and the environment associated with local natural disasters and extreme weather hazards when remediating Superfund sites, including any projected exacerbation or change in those disasters and hazards due to climate change

Full text of the bill is available here.

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