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Trustee Archive
Military bases are exempt from federal and state environmental regulations while operating with very little public oversight. Critics say these exemptions have encouraged our military to discharge large amounts of toxic materials into our air, water and soil. They say this exemption has prevented cleanup efforts and endangered many people living on or near these bases. They claim our military should not be allowed to use its right of sovereign immunity to pollute our land, water and air. Our military is the world’s largest polluter, annually generating about 800,000 tons of toxic material worldwide. Every year, more than one-third of our nation’s toxic waste is generated by our Armed Forces.
A recent Defense Department report has revealed that at least 245 U.S. military bases have been leaching toxic chemicals into the drinking water of nearby communities, putting an unknown number of people at risk. This report confirmed that at least 455 military bases are contaminated by polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals” because of their inability to naturally degrade, and that 275 out of 295 bases checked had released those chemicals “in the proximity” of drinking water supplies. DOD states that it is committed to cleaning up these bases as quickly as possible, although it does not offer any specifics or timeframe. Health advocates say the Pentagon’s low-priority policy regarding the cleanup of military base pollution is resulting in increased rates of cancer, kidney disease, birth defects and miscarriage for those on or near these facilities.
Proposed Legislation: To require military bases to conform to federal environmental pollution protection laws and to be included under the jurisdiction of the EPA
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) |
- I oppose reforming current military site pollution protection policy, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Mike Johnson (LA).
- I support sponsoring a bill requiring military bases to conform to federal environmental pollution protection laws and to be included under the jurisdiction of the EPA, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
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| Winning Option
»» No issues were voted |
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I support sponsoring a bill requiring military bases to conform to federal environmental pollution protection laws and to be included under the jurisdiction of the EPA, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
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- Representative
If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting her to favorably consider introducing a bill requiring military bases conform to federal environmental pollution protection laws and to be included under the jurisdiction of the EPA.
- Environmental Defense Fund
If elected as a trustee, Environmental Defense Fund will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to advocate for the U.S. military to clean up pollution on its bases.
Environmental Defense Fund's mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. For more than 50 years we’ve been pioneers, using science and different perspectives to make the environment safer and healthier for us all. We work to solve the most critical environmental problems facing the planet. This has drawn us to areas that span the biosphere: climate, oceans, ecosystems and health. Since these topics are intertwined, our solutions take a multidisciplinary approach. We work in concert with other organizations — as well as with business, government and communities — and avoid duplicating work already being done effectively by others.
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- No trustee votes received.
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| Poll Opening Date |
April 22, 2024 |
| Poll Closing Date |
April 28, 2024 |
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