The administration of former Virginia Gov. George Allen (R) concealed information about river pollution and refused to release data on water contaminants to the U.S. EPA, according to a report released yesterday by state auditors. In 1994, the year Allen became governor, the state’s database on river pollution was erased from personal computers and backup tapes were locked in a fireproof box. Information began to flow again only a year ago, after Gov. James Gilmore (R) assumed office. Allen is now running for U.S. Senate against Sen. Chuck Robb (D). Yesterday’s report by auditors also revealed that over the past 25 years, Virginia regulators have consistently failed to notify the public about PCB pollution in rivers.
