EPA v. HOWE CLEANER

Case summary

ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2009, REGION 1 SIGNED A PROPOSED CERCLA 122(h) SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE HOWE CLEANERS SUPERFUND SITE IN BARRE, VERMONT. THE AGREEMENT RESOLVES OUR CERCLA CLAIMS AGAINST SETTLING PARTIES, HOWE CLEANERS, INC. ( HOWE CLEANERS ) AND DAVID BENVENTUI WITH REGARD TO THE SITE. FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2003, EPA PERFORMED A FUND-LEAD REMOVAL ACTION AT THE SITE. HOWE CLEANERS, THE FORMER OWNER-OPERATOR OF THE SITE, AND MR VENVENTUI, FORMER PRESIDENT OF HOWE CLEANERS, HAVE NO ABILITY TO PAY. SETTLING PARTIES' SOLE AVAILABLE ASSET IS A COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY THAT PROVIDES COVERAGE TO HOWE CLEANERS AND ITS OFFICERS. THE ENTIRE SETTLEMENT AMOUNT OF $320,000 WILL BE PAID BY AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC. ( AIG ), HOWE CLEANERS'S INSURANCE CARRIER.

Defendants (2)

• HOWE CLEANERSNamed in settlement
• BENVENUTI DAVID

Facilities (1)

• HOWE CLEANERS (FORMER)

  9 DEPOT SQUARE, BARRE, VT

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 122H — Administrative Cost Recovery Settlement

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• HOWE CLEANERentered 2009-09-14

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2009-09-14Final Order Issued
• 2009-09-22Enforcement Action Data Entered