Who pays costs of hazardous substances entering the environment?

Update: the legislature adjourned and did not pass these bills.

When a hazardous substance enters the environment, it is only fair that the person in control of a hazardous substance pay all reasonable costs for the cleanup, not just excessive or extraordinary costs.  That includes responding to the scene, oversight, and monitoring of the hazardous condition.  Those costs should not be borne by the taxpayer at the state, county, or city level.  This change needs to be made to Iowa law.  Currently, the person in control of the substance only pays for excessive and extraordinary costs.  The Sierra Club supports this change.

What you can do

SF426 (formerly SSB1041) passed the Senate and has moved to the House.  HF881 and SF426 are ready for floor debate in the House.  

• Ask your state representative to support HF881 and SF426, updating the building codes to require passive radon mitigation in single-family and two-family homes.  To look up your House member, see Iowa Legislature - Representatives , www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house , or to Find your legislator