Congress still wants to question Rita Lavelle

Fired EPA official Rita Lavelle faces renewed congressional demands for her testimony on alleged mismanagement of the Superfund toxic waste cleanup program, Rep. James Florio (D) of New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy subcommittee, said Saturday.

Miss Lavelle was acquitted Friday of contempt of Congress charges for defying a subpoena to testify before a different House subcommittee investigating mismanagement of the $1.6 billion program. Miss Lavelle told the jury she did not defy the subpoena. ''I just couldn't make it,'' she said, citing health and financial problems.