EPA v. CORNELL-DUBILIER ELECTRONICS, INC.

Case summary

5/31/2022: On May 31, 2022, EPA announced a Supplemental Consent Decree with Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. (CDE) regarding the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site, in New Bedford, Massachusetts (Site). Under the proposed Supplemental Decree, CDE agreed to pay $4 million to resolve Plaintiff's claims under the unknown conditions/new information reopener provision in a 1992 Consent Decree with CDE for the Site. The current proposed settlement with CDE for New Bedford Harbor is part of a simultaneous global settlement with CDE for both New Bedford Harbor and for the Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund Site in New Jersey, involving EPA Region 2. Based on CDE's limited ability-to-pay, the company is paying a total of $8 million, plus interest, to resolve claims at both Sites. On May 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice lodged the Supplemental Decree for the Site and a separate Consent Decree with CDE for the Woodbrook Road Site. The Supplemental Decree and the Woodbrook Road CD are reciprocal settlements, meaning neither is effective until both settlements are approved. Both settlements are subject to a 60-day public comment period. 9/29/1998: THIS IS A COST RECOVERY ACTION RELATING TO THE 1ST OPERATIONAL UNIT AT THE SULLIVAN'S LEDGE SF SITE AGAINST 5 NON-SETTLERS. THE COMPLAINT SEEKS REIMBURSMENT FOR APPROX. $2.8 MILLION IN PAST COSTS AND A DECLARATORY JUDGEMENT OF LIABILITY FOR FUTURE COSTS.

Defendants (5)

• COATERS, INC.Named in complaint
• CORNELL-DUBILIER ELECTRONICS, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• FEDERAL PACIFIC ELECTRICNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• FIBRE LEATHER MANUFACTURING, INC.Named in complaint
• NEW BEDFORD, CITY OFNamed in complaint

Facilities (1)

• SULLIVAN'S LEDGE

  HATHAWAY RD, NEW BEDFORD, MA, 02740

  Registry ID: 110009290178

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• CORNELL-DUBILIER ELECTRONICS, INC.

  Primary law: CERCLA

• CORNELL DUBILIER ELECTRONICS INC ET ALentered 1998-09-29

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 1988-07-25Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1991-12-06Referred To Headquarters
• 1992-01-23Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1992-07-29Complaint Filed With Court
• 1998-09-29Final Order Entered
• 2022-05-31Final Order Lodged