Reagan Signs Superfund Bill

President Reagan, disregarding advisers who said the Superfund program was too costly, signed an $8.5-billion plan today to extend the toxic waste cleanup program for five years.

Explaining his action, Reagan said that he has concerns about the bill’s financing but that the health and safety of Americans are his highest priority. Without the extension, the Superfund program--which ended up struggling along this year under emergency funding measures--would have to be shut down completely by the end of the year.