Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Gina McCarthy expressing concern over the agency's internal review of the Gold King Mine disaster. Senator Cotton identifies five primary issues with the report and asks for additional information in each of those areas. The issues include:

  • The report lacks any consequences for the EPA employees who failed to test the mine's water pressure before excavation 
  • The report fails to explain why neighboring states were not informed
  • The report suggests EPA may continue to excavate mines without first testing the water pressure
  • The report fails to explain how EPA will pay for the disaster it caused 
  • The report raises broader questions of accountability and double standards

Specifically, Senator Cotton asks the EPA to explain what fines and criminal charges a private business would face for causing a comparable disaster. Senator Cotton also requested answers to 19 additional questions on the report. Click here to read the full text of the letter.