The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday it will not repay claims totaling more than $1.2 billion for economic damages from a mine waste spill the agency accidentally triggered in Colorado, saying the law prohibits it. "The agency worked hard to find a way in which it could pay individuals for damages due to the incident, but unfortunately, our hands are tied," EPA spokeswoman Nancy Grantham said. The EPA said it has spent more than $31.3 million on the spill, including remediation work, water testing and payments to state, local and tribal agencies. Mickel said the EPA had left him with the impression it would compensate for economic losses. State, federal and tribal officials have been harshly critical of the EPA for causing the spill and for its handling of the aftermath, including the costs.

Source: ABC News January 13, 2017 20:02 UTC