4th Congressional Hearing Planned On Colorado Mine Blowout

DENVER (AP) — A fourth congressional hearing is planned on the release of tainted wastewater from a Colorado gold mine that affected three states.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced Friday it plans a hearing on Sept. 16. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, whose agency accidentally triggered the release, is scheduled to testify.

Other planned hearings include the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Sept. 9; the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Sept. 16; and House Oversight and Natural Resources committees, Sept. 17.

An EPA-led cleanup crew triggered the 3-million-gallon spill Aug. 5. Wastewater polluted with potentially toxic heavy metals flowed downstream into New Mexico and Utah.

The EPA is under pressure to explain why it happened and how long it took to notify state and local authorities.

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