Enviro Groups: EPA PCB Cleanup Plan is Compromise but will Benefit River, Communities

CAPITAL REGION/HUDSON VALLEY—Dec. 17, 2010— http://www.clearwater.org/category/latest-news/

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced its requirements for the next phase of General Electric Co.’s cleanup of toxic waste in the Hudson River,

 revealing a compromise plan that gives significant concessions to GE but will still result in major improvements for the health of the river and the people who live along it, according to leading environmental groups, who have long pushed for a safe and effective cleanup.

A statement follows from the groups—Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Natural Resources Defense Council, Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson: “These standards are a compromise—ensuring a healthier Hudson in the years to come but letting GE get away with leaving a significant amount of toxic waste behind.

 

“Given the allowances that EPA’s standards afford to GE, there’s absolutely no excuse for the company not to opt in to the cleanup as soon as possible. All eyes will be on the corporation and EPA to ensure there are no corners cut once the cleanup begins.

“GE is the world’s second-largest corporation and prides itself on its innovation. The EPA has made the next phase of the cleanup completely achievable so GE should commit and use the occasion put its 40,000 world-class engineers and scientists to work to prove that it is ‘solving the world’s toughest environmental challenges,’ as it claims.

“The Hudson River and the millions of people who live along this iconic waterway deserve nothing less.”