WASHINGTON (AP) — Authorities say rivers tainted by last week's massive spill from an abandoned Colorado gold mine are starting to recover, but for the Environmental Protection Agency the political fallout from the disaster could linger.
The agency's critics are seeking to use its much-maligned handling of the spill to undercut the Obama administration's rollout of major regulations aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the nation's power plants.
EPA and contract workers accidentally unleashed 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater as they inspected the idled Gold King mine. The agency was already a frequent target for Republicans and pro-industry groups. Members of congressional oversight committees say they are planning hearings.
The spill came just two days after Obama unveiled his Clean Power Plan in an event at the White House.