EPA CLAIMS LIMITED AUTHORITY TO RESPOND TO GULF COAST DISASTERS

EPA has told a federal advisory committee that it lacks authority to address many environmental health threats that stemmed from the Gulf Coast hurricanes, despite environmentalists' arguments that the agency did not respond to the disasters using the full scope of its powers under the law. Activists have said they may consider a lawsuit over the agency's hurricane response, though no litigation is pending so far. An EPA subcommittee on the Gulf Coast recovery under the National Environmental Justice Advisory...