Sen. Schiff Introduces Bill to Examine Climate Impact on Superfund Sites

Legislation aims to protect vulnerable communities from environmental hazards

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A moody, cinematic painting depicting an abandoned, rundown industrial building surrounded by overgrown vegetation, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows, conveying a sense of environmental neglect and vulnerability.The proposed legislation aims to protect vulnerable communities from the environmental hazards of Superfund sites that may be exacerbated by climate change.Washington Today

U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to account for climate change risks, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events, when assessing the potential impact on Superfund sites across the country. The bill is designed to help protect vulnerable communities from environmental hazards that may be exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

Why it matters

Superfund sites, which contain hazardous waste, are often located in low-income and minority communities that are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. This legislation seeks to ensure the EPA takes proactive steps to mitigate the risks these sites pose to public health and the environment as the climate continues to change.

The details

The bill would require the EPA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all Superfund sites in the United States and identify those that are at risk of being affected by climate change-related events such as flooding, wildfires, and extreme storms. The agency would then be required to develop and implement plans to address the vulnerabilities of these sites and protect nearby communities.

  • The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on April 15, 2026.

The players

Adam Schiff

U.S. Senator from California who introduced the bill.

Emanuel Cleaver, II

U.S. Representative from Missouri who introduced companion legislation in the House.

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

U.S. Representative from California who introduced companion legislation in the House.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that would be required to conduct the assessment and develop plans to address climate change risks to Superfund sites under the proposed legislation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The bill has been introduced in the Senate and will now go through the legislative process, including potential committee hearings and a vote by the full Senate. If passed by the Senate, it would then need to be approved by the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities by requiring the EPA to take proactive steps to assess and mitigate the risks posed by Superfund sites in the face of a changing climate.