(The following story by Joseph Morton appeared on the Omaha World-Herald website on July 7, 2010.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Lee Terry on Wednesday called for a congressional hearing on claims that Environmental Protection Agency officials destroyed documents related to lead-contaminated properties in Omaha.
Terry, R-Neb., requested the hearing in a letter to top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Terry is a member of that committee.
Union Pacific alleges that agency officials have encouraged the destruction of documents to avoid releasing them. The railroad says the documents could bolster its claims that it should not be held responsible for the contamination, which affects about 5,600 properties.
A federal judge last month issued a temporary restraining order barring the agency from destroying records sought by Union Pacific.
Terry previously wrote to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, requesting a criminal investigation into the matter.
