[JURIST] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [official website] Administrator Gina McCarthy [official profile] on Tuesday apologized [statement, text] for an unexpected mine spill that took place last week in Colorado. Despite little knowledge as to what exactly lead to the spill, McCarthy did admit the EPA was at fault and she hopes to find out whether the EPA was properly reviewing changes as to how it cleans up old mines. The spill started after an EPA cleanup crew accidentally triggered a breach in an abandoned goldmine in southwest Colorado, releasing three million gallons of toxic and sludge in the process. The sludge, which emptied itself in the San Juan River in New Mexico, is believed to contain dangerous contaminants such as lead and arsenic. Sen. Michael Bennet (D., Colo.) [official website] called the EPA’s initial response “slow and insufficient.” Lawmakers from both parties on the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee [official website] will closely monitor the EPA’s response going forward. McCarthy added that the EPA is “committed to a full review,” of the situation, though it is possible the EPA might receive help from another organization if the situation continues to get out of hand.

The EPA has been involved in many high profile cases and issues over the past few years. In August US President Barack Obama announced [JURIST report] a set of new EPA power plant pollution regulations [EPA materials] designed to improve air quality and reduce green house gas emissions. In March the US Supreme Court [official website] heard oral arguments [JURIST report] in three consolidated cases regarding the consideration of the cost of regulating hazardous air pollutants by the EPA. Last December two environmental groups filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against the EPA accusing the group of failing to comply with a court order to strengthen storm drain pollution regulation. Last April the US Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that the EPA did not overstep its authority when it issued a regulation limiting power plants’ emissions that cross state lines.