U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe reported the cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in New Bedford Harbor sediments is on track to be completed in three years.
McCabe joined other EPA, federal, state and local officials to announce $72.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help complete the decades-long Massachusetts project, according to a May 31 EPA news release.
"I am thrilled to announce that thanks to vital funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the steadfast commitment of our enforcement attorneys, state counterparts and community partners, EPA now has the resources to complete the job of addressing hazardous pollution that has contaminated New Bedford Harbor for decades," McCabe said in the release. "EPA and the Biden-Harris administration have prioritized protecting public health and addressing environmental impacts in communities who have historically been left out of the conversation and overburdened by dangerous pollution. I am proud of this collaborative effort and the progress that we have made."
EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash
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"Nearly 40 years ago, EPA began a generational, transformational cleanup commitment to remove and address PCB pollution in New Bedford Harbor and surrounding areas," EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said in the news release. "Because of the funding announced today, we can now foresee the end of this lengthy chapter of cleanup work."
The funds also is good news for New Bedford's future, Cash said.
"We can also clearly see the future for New Bedford as a vital coastal community coming into focus, maintaining its vibrant fishing industry while also pivoting to servicing the offshore clean energy economy of the 21st century and growing much needed jobs in the community," he said. "This is a fantastic outcome for a community that has shouldered a disproportionate burden of pollution."
EPA and Massachusetts also announced they had reach a settlement with Cornell Dubilier Electronics Inc. to provide an additional $3.6 million for New Bedford Harbor shoreline remediation. The settlement also provides $400,000 to the commonwealth for "the costs of operating and maintaining the Superfund remedy," the news release said.
