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EPA ISSUES UNILATERAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY IN ROME, GEORGIA

Release Date: 06/12/2003
Contact Information: Carl Terry, EPA Public Affairs (404) 562-8325

ATLANTA (June 12, 2003)---The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (Order) to the General Electric Company (GE) in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia to address cleanup at the GE Rome site. EPA issued the Order because of concerns that GE's proposed cleanup plan may not provide for adequate protection of public health and the environment. Specifically, EPA is concerned that the proposed plan does not require a complete characterization of all source material, does not reflect an understanding of the movement of contaminants in the entire area and lacks a full examination of all cleanup alternatives. The Order, issued in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), requires GE to perform a Removal Action and a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to investigate the nature and full horizontal and vertical extent of contamination at the site, and to develop and evaluate potential cleanup alternatives. The Removal Action requires GE to take such actions necessary to mitigate any current or potential imminent and substantial threat to human health, and the environment. GE is required to conduct all work under this Order in compliance with all applicable EPA guidance, policies and procedures. EPA has been contacted by GE and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to further discuss the cleanup of the GE Rome site. The GE facility operated from approximately 1952 to 1997 and produced a variety of medium-capacity electrical transformers. A wide range of hazardous substances has been detected at the GE facility.