GM, EPA Agree on Flexible Cleanup at Facility

March 16, 2000
The agreement will allow General Motors to do cleanup work independently, with less formal oversight from EPA.

General Motors Corp. and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 have recently agreed on a more flexible approach to cleaning up hazardous waste at the company's Flint, Mich., facility.

EPA will allow GM flexibility in meeting specific cleanup goals so the cleanup can occur at a faster pace. The agreement also lets GM do the work independently, with less formal oversight from EPA.

The new approach focuses on achieving environmental results, in contrast with traditional, process-based requirements. GM will review the nature and extent of contamination at its facility by investigating releases, sampling and assessing potential risk.

GM has agreed that, by June 30, 2004, it will prove that the facility does not pose health risks, and by June 30, 2005, it will prove that it has controlled the migration of contaminated ground water. The company has also agreed to submit a final cleanup plan to EPA by Dec. 31, 2006, for the southern half of the site and by Dec. 31, 2008, for the northern half of the site.

"EPA has agreed to allow GM more freedom in an attempt to achieve faster environmental improvements. The company will still be held accountable for meeting those goals," said Robert Springer, the agency's director of the regional Waste, Pesticides and Toxics Division. "EPA is pleased that GM has embraced this new approach for its remaining facilities."

Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, facilities that generate, treat, store, transport, or dispose of hazardous waste must ensure that it does not present a threat to human health or the environment.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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