Jeff Jones, Environmental Advocates, 518-462
5526, x 233
Alex Matthiessen, Riverkeeper, 845-424-4149
Kathy Parrent, Natural Resources Defense Council, 212-727-2700
Chris White, Clearwater, 845-454-7673
Laura Haight, NYPIRG, 518-436-0876, x 258
Environmentalists
Urge Governor to Advocate Immediately
to Affect EPA Decision on Hudson River PCBs
ALBANY – Amid news of a delay and potential compromise on a Hudson River PCB cleanup, Friends of a Clean Hudson – a coalition of environmental groups – today called on Gov. George E. Pataki to stand up for the health of New York State residents and for restoring an American Heritage River.
While Gov. Pataki has supported active remediation of the Hudson River, he has not specified how extensive that cleanup should be, and his administration has not submitted formal comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed plan released last December. Friends of a Clean Hudson contends that anything less than the EPA’s initial proposal should be flatly rejected by the governor. Following EPA Administrator Christine Whitman’s announcement last week that she is close to a decision, environmental leaders called on Gov. Pataki to deliver a clean Hudson River to the citizens of New York State.
“We all know that GE has been exercising its substantial political and financial muscle to try to avoid its legal responsibility to cleanup its PCB mess,” said Hudson Riverkeeper Alex Matthiessen. “Unfortunately it looks like GE’s millions may be starting to pay off in the form of a limited pilot project. We’re here today to press the governor to make it clear to Administrator Whitman that the people of this state want and expect an EPA decision to be based on science and not on influence peddling. Unless the governor intervenes quickly, the EPA’s original dredging plan – which calls for a comprehensive cleanup – may never again see the light of day.”
Environmentalists were outraged to learn last week that the EPA has delayed a final decision on PCB dredging in the Hudson River. The groups are further troubled by reports that the agency also may go against its own scientifically based cleanup proposal by opting for small pilot dredging projects.
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“We’ve spent two decades researching the problem of Hudson River PCBs. By targeting upriver hot spots, the EPA already has developed a proposal many experts contend is a compromise solution that does not go far enough to protect the public health and environment. Any retreat from this is unacceptable. Friends of a Clean Hudson is recommending a more rigorous, comprehensive and cost-effective remedy,” said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, Inc.
The EPA’s proposed cleanup plan is supported by more than 10 years of unprecedented, independently peer-reviewed science. Research clearly shows that PCBs will not go away on their own, are not being buried at the bottom of the river and pose significant health threats to people. This is why Friends of a Clean Hudson is united in opposing any limited scope or pilot projects for a Hudson River cleanup.
"Scaling back to the recently reported $100
million dollar trial effort or any other such measure doesn't pass the laugh
test," said Chris Ballantyne, director of Sierra Club’s Hudson River
Campaign. "The fact is that the
real cost of cleanup will far exceed what GE has spent on source control and
public relations. The cost of
cleanup should not be driven by some magic dollar number, instead it must be
based on doing the job right."
Administrator Whitman has reportedly met personally with GE and CEASE, a small group of outspoken opponents on the dredging project. However, Administrator Whitman has refused to meet herself with environmental groups from New York, whose support of dredging represents the majority of public opinion on the issue.
“When you consider GE’s massive advertising and lobbying campaign and EPA Administrator Whitman’s decision not to meet directly with environmentalists, it suggests a back-room deal may be in the works,” said Val Washington, executive director of Environmental Advocates. “Not only does this fly in the face of democracy, it supports the perception that the Bush Administration makes decisions based on political influence and not the public interest.”
"As Administrator Whitman prepares to announce EPA's final decision on its own plan to dredge the Hudson River, it is now more critical than ever that Gov. Pataki speak out for the health and safety of all New Yorkers. We urge the governor to tell Administrator Whitman strongly and clearly that he favors the dredging plan," said Katherine Kennedy, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Friends of Clean Hudson vowed to continue its campaign for the governor’s immediate and sustained leadership on this issue. The group also plans to continue seeking a personal meeting with Administrator Whitman before her decision is made.
Friends of a Clean Hudson is a coalition of national, state and regional organizations fighting for the restoration of the Hudson River through the aggressive removal of PCB-contaminated sediments. The coalition comprises: the Appalachian Mountain Club, Arbor Hill Environmental Justice Corporation, Coast Alliance, Environmental Advocates, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York Public Interest Research Group, New York Rivers United, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, Inc., Sierra Club.
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