Keep EPA Libraries Open

The Hartford Courant Says EPA libraries are a mother lode of scientific and regulatory information. Used by developers as well as federal, state and local regulators, they hold information about emerging environmental technologies, the health risks associated with hazardous chemicals, hazardous waste sites, water quality data and regional ecosystems. Although many of the documents can be found elsewhere, locating them will become harder, more time-consuming and more costly.

Information is essential to smart regulation and good development. The Bush administration’s proposed budget cut is shortsighted and poorly conceived. Ultimately, it would hamper environmental protection, not help it.