Links and Articles
MY VIEW: GE must commit to PCB cleanup
By Manna Jo Greene
Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc.
Published: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 2:14 AM EDT
http://registerstar.com/articles/2010/10/13/opinion/letters/doc4cb5284e1f41e028856868.txt
After 30 years of delay tactics, General Electric began cleanup of PCB-contaminated sediment in the Hudson River in spring 2009. Ten of the 18 sites scheduled for remediation were dredged with excellent results. Dredging was suspended in 2010 while the Peer Review Panel evaluated Phase 1 of the cleanup.
The Peer Review Panel acknowledged that the Phase 1 dredging effort was successful and that Phase 2 should proceed in spring 2011. However, Phase 1 dredging revealed up to 50 percent more PCB-contaminated sediment under a false bottom of woody debris.
GE cites the Peer Review’s Phase 2 recommendation of “closing work areas as soon as possible” in proposing that only one dredge pass in each work area, followed by a process to stabilize the area with a layer of backfill or a thicker, sturdier cap. If depth of contamination (DoC) is again faulty, a large amount of residual PCBs could be left in the river, subject to possible future release. GE is only responsible to maintain the caps for 30 years, after which, the problem reverts to the public.
The 2002 Record of Decision called for removal, not capping — and to only use capping in very specific circumstances as a last resort. Maximizing the removal of PCBs should drive the cleanup, not cost-containment. Additional pass or passes may be necessary if high levels of contamination are found. The EPA must build in safeguards to ensure that PCBs are not left behind and capped as a matter of expediency.
This is our one and only chance to clean up Hudson River PCB contamination. The review process is now subject to negotiations between EPA and GE. GE is seeking a year-long extension of the 2006 Consent Decree requirement that they “opt in” or “opt out” of Phase 2. If GE decides to opt out, EPA could issue a Unilateral Administrative Order requiring GE to complete the cleanup, or EPA could conduct the cleanup and charge GE triple damages.
GE is responsible for contaminating this precious resource. If GE truly wants to demonstrate “ecomagination,” they should commit to the remainder of the Hudson River PCB cleanup this year. EPA must stand tough and make sure they do, and get the job done as thoroughly and efficiently as possible — for once and for all.
The Hudson River PCB Cleanup – A Light at the End of the Tunnel
by Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. Summer 2008 / Clearwaters
http://www.clearwater.org/pdf/ClearwatersPCBarticle.pdf
Approaching Zero Net Energy: Owner/Builder and Municipal Perspectives
of High Performance Building Construction http://midhudson.org/admin/facilities_resources/green/manna.pdf
Saudi Arabia on the Hudson? Why Water Speculators Want Desalination in the Moist Northeast
05/04/2012 02:20 pm ET | Updated Jul 04, 2012
Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/manna-jo-greene/why-water-speculators-wan_b_1478152.html?
Indian Point: More Nuts than Bolts
04/11/2016 03:27 pm ET
Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/manna-jo-greene/indian-point-more-nuts-th_b_9646340.html
Multiple videos: http://www.i4u.com/video-gallery/Manna-Jo-Greene
Jobs Not Jails: www.jobsnotjails.weebly.com
GREEN JOBS PIPELINE INITIATIVE: POUGHKEEPSIE YOUTH TRAINED IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Aug 06, 2015 Country Wisdom News
by Anne Pyburn Craig
http://countrywisdomnews.com/?p=119
By Manna Jo Greene
Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc.
Published: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 2:14 AM EDT
http://registerstar.com/articles/2010/10/13/opinion/letters/doc4cb5284e1f41e028856868.txt
After 30 years of delay tactics, General Electric began cleanup of PCB-contaminated sediment in the Hudson River in spring 2009. Ten of the 18 sites scheduled for remediation were dredged with excellent results. Dredging was suspended in 2010 while the Peer Review Panel evaluated Phase 1 of the cleanup.
The Peer Review Panel acknowledged that the Phase 1 dredging effort was successful and that Phase 2 should proceed in spring 2011. However, Phase 1 dredging revealed up to 50 percent more PCB-contaminated sediment under a false bottom of woody debris.
GE cites the Peer Review’s Phase 2 recommendation of “closing work areas as soon as possible” in proposing that only one dredge pass in each work area, followed by a process to stabilize the area with a layer of backfill or a thicker, sturdier cap. If depth of contamination (DoC) is again faulty, a large amount of residual PCBs could be left in the river, subject to possible future release. GE is only responsible to maintain the caps for 30 years, after which, the problem reverts to the public.
The 2002 Record of Decision called for removal, not capping — and to only use capping in very specific circumstances as a last resort. Maximizing the removal of PCBs should drive the cleanup, not cost-containment. Additional pass or passes may be necessary if high levels of contamination are found. The EPA must build in safeguards to ensure that PCBs are not left behind and capped as a matter of expediency.
This is our one and only chance to clean up Hudson River PCB contamination. The review process is now subject to negotiations between EPA and GE. GE is seeking a year-long extension of the 2006 Consent Decree requirement that they “opt in” or “opt out” of Phase 2. If GE decides to opt out, EPA could issue a Unilateral Administrative Order requiring GE to complete the cleanup, or EPA could conduct the cleanup and charge GE triple damages.
GE is responsible for contaminating this precious resource. If GE truly wants to demonstrate “ecomagination,” they should commit to the remainder of the Hudson River PCB cleanup this year. EPA must stand tough and make sure they do, and get the job done as thoroughly and efficiently as possible — for once and for all.
The Hudson River PCB Cleanup – A Light at the End of the Tunnel
by Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. Summer 2008 / Clearwaters
http://www.clearwater.org/pdf/ClearwatersPCBarticle.pdf
Approaching Zero Net Energy: Owner/Builder and Municipal Perspectives
of High Performance Building Construction http://midhudson.org/admin/facilities_resources/green/manna.pdf
Saudi Arabia on the Hudson? Why Water Speculators Want Desalination in the Moist Northeast
05/04/2012 02:20 pm ET | Updated Jul 04, 2012
Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/manna-jo-greene/why-water-speculators-wan_b_1478152.html?
Indian Point: More Nuts than Bolts
04/11/2016 03:27 pm ET
Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/manna-jo-greene/indian-point-more-nuts-th_b_9646340.html
Multiple videos: http://www.i4u.com/video-gallery/Manna-Jo-Greene
Jobs Not Jails: www.jobsnotjails.weebly.com
GREEN JOBS PIPELINE INITIATIVE: POUGHKEEPSIE YOUTH TRAINED IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Aug 06, 2015 Country Wisdom News
by Anne Pyburn Craig
http://countrywisdomnews.com/?p=119