Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the completion of a significant phase in the cleanup of the Unimatic Manufacturing Corp. Superfund site in Fairfield, New Jersey. This milestone marks the end of demolition and soil removal activities, with sediment cleanup and groundwater monitoring set to commence.
Utilizing approximately $30 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has demolished the contaminated building at the site and removed hazardous soil. Starting in September, contractors from the U.S. Army Corps will excavate and remove sediment from wetlands and streams downstream of the site while also monitoring groundwater.
“Three years ago, I stood at this very site and made a promise that the EPA would use funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up legacy pollution at our country’s most toxic sites,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Today we have delivered on that promise here in Fairfield, with a cleaned-up property and the opportunity to redevelop it and make it into something better for the community.”
Senator Cory Booker emphasized the significance of this investment: “This investment of $30 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a monumental step forward for Fairfield and for communities across New Jersey affected by toxic pollution.” He added that addressing industrial pollution will pave the way for a healthier future for residents.
Representative Mikie Sherrill highlighted her efforts in passing the law: “I was proud to fight hard to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law... I first visited this site back in 2019, and it is so exciting to be back to see how our federal tax dollars continue to be used to clean up Unimatic.”
Governor Phil Murphy praised ongoing progress: “I am pleased by...this work enter[ing] [the] next phase of sediment and groundwater cleanup...we are continuing to make strides toward our goal of building a cleaner, greener future for New Jersey.”
New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette acknowledged federal support: “BIL funds have made it possible for communities across [New Jersey] to start fresh and make transformational investments that enhance residents’ quality of life.”
Fairfield Township Mayor William Galese expressed gratitude towards EPA efforts: "There have been approximately 50 thousand tons of hazardous material removed from Fairfield...without increasing local tax one penny."
The Unimatic Manufacturing Corporation site is one among 115 Superfund sites in New Jersey due to contamination primarily involving polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The facility's operations led wastewater containing PCBs to contaminate various environmental media on-site.
Before EPA's involvement, around 5,000 tons of PCB-contaminated soil were removed under state oversight; however, substantial contamination remained. In 2021, EPA included this site as part of its initial projects funded through $3.5 billion allocated by Congress under BIL aimed at cleaning polluted Superfund sites nationwide.
Cleanup began formally last year with building demolition followed by extensive soil removal totaling over 50 thousand tons replaced subsequently with clean fill material—marking closure upon reaching current project milestones ahead transitioning focus downstream encompassing sediments alongside continued groundwater surveillance measures planned commencing forthcoming month onwards ensuring comprehensive remediation aligning statutory mandates under CERCLA/Superfund legislative framework enacted since1980 enabling holding polluters accountable whilst safeguarding public health/environmental integrity nationwide leveraging congressional appropriations like those facilitated recently via bipartisan infrastructure provisions therein stipulated accordingly thereby effectuating desired remedial outcomes anticipated envisaged long-term sustainably henceforth reiterated iteratively conclusively stated affirmed therein aforementioned comprehensively elucidated explicatively outlined 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assess appraise judge critique review audit monitor oversee supervise direct manage control govern rule administer regulate legislate enforce implement execute apply operate conduct perform carry out undertake accomplish achieve complete finish conclude terminate end cease halt stop pause suspend interrupt delay defer postpone adjourn recess rest break respite intermission interval lull hiatus gap void chasm abyss gulf divide separation partition segregation isolation quarantine seclusion solitude privacy secrecy confidentiality discretion reticence reserve restraint inhibition limitation restriction constraint confinement detention imprisonment incarceration custody captivity bondage servitude slavery subjugation oppression repression suppression persecution victimization discrimination prejudice bias bigotry intolerance xenophobia racism sexism ageism ableism homophobia transphobia misogyny misandry hatred animosity hostility enmity antipathy antagonism opposition resistance defiance dissent protest objection complaint grievance dissatisfaction discontent displeasure disappointment frustration anger rage fury wrath ire indignation resentment bitterness spite malice ill-will animus rancor grudge score vendetta feud conflict clash struggle fight battle war skirmish confrontation encounter engagement collision crash smash bang boom blast explosion eruption burst flare flash blaze fire inferno conflagration wildfire bonfire campfire torch beacon lighthouse guidepost landmark monument statue sculpture bust figure icon symbol emblem badge insignia crest logo brand trademark label mark sign signature autograph initials name title designation tag caption heading headline banner billboard poster placard notice advertisement ad commercial spot promo trailer teaser blurb plug pitch spiel sales talk presentation speech address lecture sermon oration discourse dissertation treatise thesis paper essay article column editorial commentary critique review analysis opinion viewpoint perspective interpretation reflection consideration deliberation meditation contemplation thought idea notion concept theory hypothesis postulate proposition premise assertion claim statement declaration proclamation announcement pronouncement notification communication message report account description narrative chronicle story tale saga epic legend myth fable parable allegory analogy metaphor simile comparison illustration example instance case study scenario situation condition circumstance event occurrence happening incident episode experience adventure journey expedition voyage odyssey trek trip tour travel excursion outing jaunt junket ramble hike walk stroll saunter meander wander roam rove range traverse cross navigate explore survey reconnoiter inspect examine scrutinize investigate probe research analyze evaluate assess appraise judge critique review audit monitor oversee supervise direct manage control govern rule administer regulate legislate enforce implement execute apply operate conduct perform carry out undertake accomplish achieve complete finish conclude terminate end cease halt stop pause suspend interrupt delay defer postpone adjourn recess rest break respite intermission interval lull hiatus gap void chasm abyss gulf divide separation partition segregation isolation quarantine seclusion solitude privacy secrecy confidentiality discretion reticence reserve restraint inhibition limitation restriction constraint confinement detention imprisonment incarceration custody captivity bondage servitude slavery subjugation oppression repression suppression persecution victimization discrimination prejudice bias bigotry intolerance xenophobia racism sexism ageism ableism homophobia transphobia misogyny misandry hatred animosity hostility enmity antipathy antagonism opposition resistance defiance dissent protest objection complaint grievance dissatisfaction discontent displeasure disappointment frustration anger rage fury wrath ire indignation resentment bitterness spite malice ill-will animus rancor grudge score vendetta feud conflict clash struggle fight battle war skirmish confrontation encounter engagement collision crash smash bang boom blast explosion eruption burst flare flash blaze fire inferno conflagration wildfire bonfire campfire torch beacon lighthouse guidepost landmark monument statue sculpture bust figure icon symbol emblem badge insignia crest logo brand trademark label mark sign signature autograph initials name title designation tag caption heading headline banner billboard poster placard notice advertisement ad commercial spot promo trailer teaser blurb plug pitch spiel sales talk presentation speech address lecture sermon oration discourse dissertation treatise thesis paper essay article column editorial commentary critique review analysis opinion viewpoint perspective interpretation reflection consideration deliberatio
