January 4, 2008—WR Grace has agreed to a $34 million bankruptcy settlement for cleanup costs at 32 Superfund sites across the country, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice announced recently. This action settles a bankruptcy claim brought by the federal government to recover money for site cleanup.
The federal government determined that the company contributed to the contamination at the sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly referred to as Superfund. The settlement will be used to reimburse EPA for past costs and to pay for future costs associated with cleaning up at hazardous waste sites in 18 states. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.
WR Grace and 61 affiliated companies filed for bankruptcy in April 2001. In March 2003, EPA filed claims against the company to recover past and future cleanup costs. EPA will be able to pursue its claim once the bankruptcy court confirms a reorganization plan with the company.
WR Grace is a global supplier of specialty chemicals. The company has corporate headquarters in Columbia, MD, and employees in nearly 40 countries.
The Superfund sites are located in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
For the complete list of Superfund sites and locations, or more information on the WR Grace bankruptcy settlement, visit the EPA Web site.
