Document bywym4npmkweLpggqmdo249o3

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: margaret talbot j Ex. 6 j 2/6/2018 2:41:30 PM Wilcox, Jahan [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=88fd588e97d3405d869bcae98d391984-Wilcox, Jah] Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] Re: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Okay, thank you. We may have further specific questions in fact-checking, but this is helpful to have. On Mon, Feb 5, 2018 at 1:51 PM, Wilcox, Jahan <wilcox.iahan@epa.gov> wrote: In regards to Superfund questions, we have addressed this numerous times in various interviews and would steer to the following interviews as well. The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/podcasts/the-daily/scott-pruitt-epa.html St. Louis Post-Dispatch: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/epa-wants-to-do-partialexcavation-of-contaminants-at-radioactive/article a38fbc0e-7937-5f90-af8a-24d042f57916.html Fox Business: http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2018/Q2/01/pruitt-epa-wont-be-weaponizedanymore.html The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energyenvironment/wp/2018/02/01/epa-orders-cleanup-at-st-louis-nuclear-waste-site-what-does-it-mean-for-thenations-other-toxic-messes/?utm term-.acd566333c3a SUPERFUNDS & WEST LAKE SUPERFUND ... At Superfund sites, Scott Pruitt could flip his industry-friendly script. "In pressing for aggressive, accelerated cleanups, he is butting heads with companies while siding at times with local environmental groups. His supporters, and Pruitt himself, say it is evidence he is reinvigorating a core function of the agency. His critics see it as a political move, an effort to protect himself against charges that he constantly favors corporate interests. Yet Pruitt's attention is shifting the conversation in some beleaguered communities. Residents say they don't care what his motivations are -- if those bring the results they've long sought. 'Scott Pruitt is probably the most important person right now in the lives of the people in this community,' said Dawn Chapman, who lives with her husband and three children near a controversial site northwest of St. Louis. The landfill there, known as West Lake, contains thousands of tons of radioactive waste from the World War IIera Manhattan Project. Chapman and other activists are pushing for significant excavation. Pruitt has promised them he will issue a decision within days. There are signs he might seek more extensive -- and expensive -- removal than EPA staff have recommended in the past. As is the case in Texas, the companies on the hook for the cleanup contend that years of scientific evidence show capping the waste in place would be safer, cheaper and completed sooner. 'Depending on the decision [Pruitt] makes,' Chapman said, 'he will probably forever remain the hero or the villain in the eyes of this community.'" (The Washington Post, 01/23/18) Scott Pruitt vows to speed the nation's Superfund cleanups. Communities wonder how. "Dawn Chapman Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00001 had listened with surprise and skepticism as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency vowed to clean up West Lake, the nuclear waste dump that has filled her days and nights with worry. Th e past administration honestly just didn't pay attention to [it],' Scott Pruitt stressed on a local radio show in April. "We're going to get things done at West Lake. The days of talking are over.' The next month, Pruitt took to television to say a plan for the site was coming 'very soon' as part of his push to prioritize Superfund cleanups across the country. 'It's not a matter of money,' he said. 'It's a matter of leadership and attitude and management.' On a blue-sky afternoon, Chapman sat in her small home in this leafy St. Louis suburb and mulled the latest set of promises from Washington -- this time from a man known more for suing the EPA and rolling back environmental regulations than for cracking down on pollution. 'Why our site? Why now? Can he keep those promises?' the mother of three wondered. Her family lives only a couple of miles from West Lake, a contaminated landfill that contains thousands of tons of waste from the World War ll-era Manhattan Project. 'My biggest fear is he's just going to put a Band-Aid on it.'" (The Washington Post, 06/18/17) West Lake has been on EPA's Superfund list for 28 years, yet no decision has been made about how to clean up this toxic land site, which will change next week. "The West Lake Landfill Superfund Site is located in Bridgeton, Mo. The site consists of several inactive landfills, including the West Lake Landfill and the Bridgeton Landfill. Originally used for agriculture, the land became a limestone quarrying and crushing operation in 1939. Beginning in the early 1950s, portions of the quarried areas and adjacent areas were used to dispose of municipal refuse, industrial solid wastes, and construction/demolition debris. In 1973, around 8,700 tons of leached barium sulfate from the Manhattan Project, a World War II nuclear bomb development program, was mixed with approximately 38,000 tons of soil and used to cover trash being dumped during daily operations. In 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listed the site on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund law). The Agency listed the entire 200-acre facility and has since designated multiple Operable Units at the site to manage various areas and environmental media. Operable Unit 1 (OU-1) contains radiologicallyimpacted material (RIM). Operable Unit 2 (OU-2) does not contain radiological material. Operable Unit 3 (OU3) will address site-wide groundwater. The adjacent Bridgeton Landfill, which is a part of OU-2, is part of the Superfund Site, but remains under the regulatory authority and oversight of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. (EPA, Accessed 01/24/18) West Lake on EPA list of Superfund sites targeted for 'immediate1action. "The West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton, which contains nuclear waste from the World War II effort to build the atomic bomb, is one of 21 toxic-waste sites President Donald Trump's administration has now targeted for 'immediate, intense action.' The Environmental Protection Agency released the list late Friday, a day after EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt told a House of Representatives subcommittee that he would announce a recommendation on a cleanup plan at West Lake sometime in January. It's part of what Pruitt described as an effort to spur action on "Superfund" toxic waste sites that have languished on the list for many years. West Lake has been on the list since 1990. 'In developing this initial list, EPA considered sites that can benefit from Administrator Pruitt's direct engagement and have identifiable actions to protect human health and the environment,' the EPA said in announcing the new list. 'These are sites requiring timely resolution of specific issues to expedite cleanup and redevelopment efforts. The list is designed to spur action at sites where opportunities exist to act quickly and comprehensively. The administrator will receive regular updates on each of these sites.' Neighbors have long complained that the site is causing health problems in people who live nearby." (The St. Louis Post Dispatch. 12/08/17) Pruitt set to make decision in the coming days regarding the West Lake Superfund Site. "In pressing for aggressive, accelerated cleanups, he is butting heads with companies while siding at times with local environmental groups. His supporters, and Pruitt himself, say it is evidence he is reinvigorating a core Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00002 function of the agency. His critics see it as a political move, an effort to protect himself against charges that he constantly favors corporate interests. Yet Pruitt's attention is shifting the conversation in some beleaguered communities. Residents say they don't care what his motivations are -- if those bring the results they've long sought. 'Scott Pruitt is probably the most important person right now in the lives of the people in this community/ said Dawn Chapman, who lives with her husband and three children near a controversial site northwest of St. Louis. The landfill there, known as West Lake, contains thousands of tons of radioactive waste from the World War ll-era Manhattan Project. Chapman and other activists are pushing for significant excavation. Pruitt has promised them he will issue a decision within days. There are signs he might seek more extensive -- and expensive -- removal than EPA staff have recommended in the past. As is the case in Texas, the companies on the hook for the cleanup contend that years of scientific evidence show capping the waste in place would be safer, cheaper and completed sooner. 'Depending on the decision [Pruitt] makes,' Chapman said, 'he will probably forever remain the hero or the villain in the eyes of this community.'" (The Washington Post, 01/23/18) Due to West Lake, parents drive their children as far away as possible from the community so their children can play. "'Actions speak louder than words,' said BrieAnn McCormick, whose neighborhood is closest to West Lake. Families here have long lived with the reality of the site, which got its Superfund designation in 1990. The 200 acres include not just the radioactive waste that was illegally dumped in 1973, but also an adjacent landfill where decomposing trash as deep as 150 feet is smoldering in what scientists call a "subsurface burning event." The fire is now about 600 feet from that other waste. West Lake has made Bridgeton the kind of place where some parents drive their children to playgrounds far from the landfill. Where some people keep homemade kits in their cars -- face masks for days the stench hits, eyedrops for irritation, Tylenol for headaches. Where others trade stories of cancers, autoimmune diseases and miscarriages they're scared could be related to the Superfund site, although air, water and soil tests from the EPA and other government agencies have shown no link." (The Washington Post, 06/18/17) The previous administration moved at glacial place to address West Lake. "Activists fault the EPA for moving at a glacial pace. They accuse Republic Services, which took ownership of the landfill in 2008, of trying to avoid full-fledged cleanup. Similar dynamics are playing out at many Superfund sites, where abandoned mines, contaminated rivers and manufacturing plants have left behind a daunting trail of lead, arsenic, mercury and other harmful substances. Some "mega sites" involve tracing hundreds of chemicals and scores of polluters." (The Washington Post, 06/18/17) Pruitt is working on the redevelopment of Superfund sites in East Chicago, an area of land near the Seattle Seahawks and other places across the country. "Thirty-one of the country's most contaminated sites are likely to be available for building new housing, business or other development soon after they are cleaned up, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said today, a step that's part of Administrator Scott Pruitt's push to accelerate the cleanup and make the land available for community use... Another example on the list is a Superfund site on the coast of Lake Washington and close to the practice facility for the Seattle Seahawks. It was contaminated by coal tar and creosote from manufacturing until 1969 and a cleanup plan is expected to be finalized in 2019. The owner of the land wants to redevelop it for 10 buildings with retail and residential units, according to an EPA fact sheet." (ABC News, 01/17/18) After Harvey, EPA Administrator vows bold response to polluted sites around Houston. "Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, who has visited Texas twice since Hurricane Harvey, vowed Thursday to have 'an answer' by next month for a permanent solution to clean up the San Jacinto River Waste Pits. 'What was concerning about that site in advance of the storm, and is a concern today, frankly, Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00003 and that is that the response, the capping that's taken place, this agency's had to work through remediation efforts every year since 2011," he said in a Chronicle interview." (The Houston Chronicle, 09/22/17) EPA approves plan to stabilize San Jacinto waste pits. "The Environmental Protection Agency has approved a plan to stabilize the riverbed near the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site to address the hazards of a 20,000-square-foot area where Hurricane Harvey gouged a pit about 12 feet deep." (The Houston Chronicle, 10/20/17) Waste Management secretly funded 'grassroots' opposition to toxic dump removal That Pruitt championed. "Court records obtained by FOX 26 reveal so called independent citizen groups opposing removal of the Dioxin were secretly receiving resources from Waste Management and its subsidiary McGinnes Industrial Management Corporation. That's important, because the $100 million cost of the cleanup ordered by the EPA will come straight out of the company's pocket. "It's important for the public to know this connection. For years we've wondered who's really behind these groups. It was clear that they had big money behind them, but there was no transparency with these groups," said Jackie Young of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance." (Fox 26 Houston. 01/18/18) From: Wilcox, Jahan Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 1:46 PM To: Ex. 6 I____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cc: Press <Press@epa.gov> Subject: RE: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund In regards to Kell, below are two on the record statements that you can use: "Kell Kelly is a man of high integrity. During my time as CEO of the American Bankers Association, Mr. Kelly served as my chairman and helped lead the association through a difficult period following 2008 financial crisis; Administrator Pruitt is fortunate to have him," said Frank Keating, former Oklahoma governor and former CEO of the American Bankers Association. "Kell Kelly retired from Spirit Bank after 34 years serving as executive vice president and ultimately CEO to join EPA as Administrator Pruitt's principal advisor leading an effort to finance and clean up the nation's worst contaminated sites. Upon leaving, Spirit Bank requested that Kell remain on its board of directors which Kell declined due to full time employment in Washington, D.C. Spirit would confirm that at no point Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00004 in Kell's service did he take any action which threatened the bank. Kell has received full ethics and financial disclosure training as any EPA political appointee and senior official receives. I have personally known Kell for a number of years. EPA is fortunate to have him as part of our team. He has already contributed immensely to the Administrator's agenda to speed up remediation timelines. He has already gained the respect of the EPA career staff, and being responsible for hiring political appointees at EPA, I was eager to report to Administrator Pruitt we had brought Kell on our team." - Ryan Jackson, EPA Chief of Staff From: Block, Molly Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 12:08 PM To: Bowman, Liz <Bowman.Liz@epa.gov>; Beach, Christopher <beach.christopher@epa.gov>; Ferguson, Lincoln <ferguson.lincoln@epa.gov>; Wilcox, Jahan <wilcox.iahan@epa.gov>; Hewitt, James <hewitt.iames@epa.gov>; Abboud, Michael <abboud.michael@epa.gov>; Konkus, John <konkus.iohn@epa.gov>; Danieli, Kelsi <daniell.kelsi@epa.gov> Subject: FW: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Request below from New Yorker for interviews with Pruitt and/or Kell or written responses. Looks like they're writing a long form piece on the Superfund Program. Thoughts? From: Daguillard, Robert Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 8:49 AM To: Press <Press@epa.gov> Subject: FW: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Third Floor, let me know if I should send the Kel Kelly request to the program, or if you'll handle. Cheers, R. From: margaret talbot f Ex. 6 j Sent: Monday, February 05, 2018 8:35 AM To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Cc: Daguillard, Robert <Daguillard.Robert@epa.gov> Subject: Re: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00005 Dear Enesta and Robert, Yes, I have requests in for interviews with Mr. Kelly and with Administrator Pruitt. My final deadline is February 16th. I would be amenable to written responses. Thank you, Margaret On Sat, Feb 3, 2018 at 6:30 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Margaret, I know you are still seeking an interview. Tricia's out on Monday, so if you are still interested, our colleague, Robert Daguillard, copied here, can see what can do to get you something. Or has your deadline passed? If the answer is no, what's the absolute latest you can wait? Also, it would be good to know if you are amendable to written responses if an interview is not feasible within your timeframe. Thanks, Enesta On Jan 8, 2018, at 7:29 AM, margaret talbot 1 Ex. 6 iwrote: Hello, I'll be working on it for another week or so, and can wait a bit longer if necessary. Will it be possible to get written answers to the questions I sent on November 17th and again on December 16th? Thank you. Margaret On Thu, Jan 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00006 Sorry we didn't meet your deadline of 12/29. Is it correct that we can consider this closed, Margaret? On Dec 16, 2017, at 4:44 PM, margaret talbot \ EX. 6 L____________________________________ Thank you. And my apologies for putting an "r" in your name in my last email! wrote: On Sat, Dec 16, 2017 at 4:14 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Thanks, Margaret. Jan. 1st is New Year's Day -- and our offices will be closed in observance. We will work toward being responsive to you by Fri., 12/29 -- or sooner. More from Tricia on Monday. Have a great rest of the weekend, Enesta On Dec 16, 2017, at 3:59 PM, margaret talbotj i. Hi Emesta, Ex. 6 wrote: Sure. And thank you. Here are the questions I sent on November 17th (they are in email chain above but copied here): Obviously, the second one is no longer relevant. --What role is he playing m the formulation of the top ten list of Superfund priority sites, and how would be define the factors and process for deciding on those? --When will that list be ready? --Given that his background is not in any area of environmental remediation or public health (as far as I know--please correct me if I'm wrong), what does he feel he brings to the table for his new role? --What does he think are the major systemic problems with how the Superfund program has been run? --How would he characterize his working relationships with career staff m the Superfund program? --Can he comment on the FDIC penalty against him? --Some of the local resident activists I've spoken to m St Louis (Just Moms) and in East Chicago, Indiana have spoken to me about what a good listener he has been and about his accessibility'--giving the his cell phone number and so on. I wondered if he could comment on how he thinks about his approach with local residents. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00007 My deadline in January11st. best, Margaret On Sat, Dec 16, 2017 at 3:35 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Eli Margaret, Tricia is back in the office on Monday. In case an interview is not possible, can you please send specific questions that we can address in writing -- and your absolute firm deadline? And if it turns out that an interview is feasible, we can still use those questions as a basis for the discussion. I know you mentioned that the "list" out. In case you haven't seen the full press release, here it is: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-list-superfund-sites-targeted-immediate-intenseattention Thank you, Enesta On Dec 16, 2017, at 2:11 PM, margaret talbot j Ex. 6 wrote: i_____________________________________________________________: Hi Triciai, I have to wrap up reporting on this. Can you let me know one way or another whether Mr. Kelly will be available for an interview or can supply answers to the questions I sent? Obviously, the question as to when the list will be ready is no longer relevant since it has been issued. Thank you, Margaret Talbot On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 4:21 PM, margaret talbot Ex. 6 wrote: Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00008 Thank you, Tricia. Any day, any time next week works. Sent from my iPhone On Dec 7, 2017, at 11:35 AM, Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Margaret-- I hope all's well. I'm just checking in to let you know that we still haven't been able to find a time to schedule the interview, but that we're still trying. I'm out of the office tomorrow, but my colleague, Enesta Jones, will keep an eye out. Otherwise I'll be back in touch as soon as we can schedule. Thanks so much, Tricia From: margaret talboti Ex. 6 Sent: Friday, December 01, 2017 11:19 AM To: Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia(5>epa.gov> Subject: Re: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Thank you, Tricia. On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 11:12 AM, Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa.gov> wrote: Thanks Margaret. I'm sorry to hear about your family emergency. Sending positive thoughts your way. I'll let folks know about your deadline change and we'll see what we can work out. Best, Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00009 Tricia From: margaret talboti Ex. 6 Sent: Friday, December , 2017 11:05 AM To: Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa.gov> Subject: Re: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfimd Hi Tricia, I was about to write to you to today to follow up, so I'm glad you got in touch. I actually have to fly out to California for a family health emergency Monday afternoon, 12/4, but I would be available till about 1, either by phone or in person. Also, because this situation has extended my deadline, any day the following week--the week of 12/11--is now also open. Thank you, Margaret On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 9:57 AM, Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@,epa.gov> wrote: Hi Margaret-- Thanks so much for your patience as we work to schedule. We're still working on this as he's been travelling quite a bit. I apologize, but we won't be able to make your 12/2 deadline. We can't promise Monday (12/4), but what sort of flexibility do you have for then? Thanks so much, Tricia Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00010 From: margaret Sent: Friday, November 17, 2017 12:18 PM To: Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa.gov> Subject: Re: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Hi Tricia, Thank you for your prompt reply. My questions are below. My deadline is December 2nd. --What role is he playing in the formulation of the top ten list of Superfund priority sites, and how would be define the factors and process for deciding on those? --When will that list be ready? --Given that his background is not in any area of environmental remediation or public health (as far as I know--please correct me if I'm wrong), what does he feel he brings to the table for his new role? --What does he think are the major systemic problems with how the Superfund program is run? --How would he characterize his working relationships with career staff in the Superfund program? --Can he comment on the FDIC penalty against him? --Some of the local resident activists I've spoken to in St Louis (Just Moms) and in East Chicago, Indiana have spoken to me about what a good listener he has been and about his accessibility--giving the his cell phone number and so on. I wondered if he could comment on his approach with local residents. All best, Margaret Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00011 On Fri, Nov 17, 2017 at 11:24 AM, Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Margaret-- Thanks so much for your inquiry. I'm happy to try to help set up an interview, though I do want to mention that they're not always available. If not, we can generally respond to questions in writing if that's helpful. In either case, in order to begin I need two things from you: a list of your specific questions as well as your hard deadline. If you can forward those to me at your earliest convenience, I'll send them on for consideration. Thanks again, Tricia Tricia Lynn Office of Public Affairs U.S. EPA Office: 202.564.2615 From: margaret talboti Ex. 6 Sent: Friday, November 17, 2017 7:49 AM To: Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia(S)epa.gov> Subject: New Yorker magazine/request to interview Albert Kelly about Superfund Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00012 Dear Ms. Lynn, I'm a staff writer at The New Yorker magazine and I am hoping to interview Mr. Kelly about the work of the Superfund task force. Could you let me know if you can help me that? Thanks so much, Margaret Talbot Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00020727-00013