ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced April 11 that New York will be suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the cleanup of the Hudson River.
This decision comes after the EPA issued a Certificate of Completion for General Electric's cleanup of PCB contamination in the Hudson River. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) study showed that the cleanup was incomplete and does not protect the public health and environment.
According to a press release from James' office, the DEC found PCB levels in fish have not recovered as result of the work and the officials allege the EPA's action of issuing the certificate is contrary to law.
"The Hudson River is critical to the environment and economy of New York," said Attorney General Letitia James in a press release. "Despite the EPA's stance, the facts remain crystal clear: the cleanup of PCBs is incomplete, and allowing GE to walk away without accountability is dangerous to the health and welfare of New Yorkers. Once again, the EPA has failed to protect the environment, and failed to protect the residents of our state, but my office will work tirelessly to ensure the cleanup and restoration of the Hudson River carries on."
The press release states both the DEC and other environmental organizations have rejected the findings of the EPA's five-year review report of the Hudson River cleanup and have asked the EPA not to issue the certificate to GE.