Issued: Feb 13, 2023 (10:05am EST)

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Cornell Dubilier Electronics Superfund Site Gets Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds to Continue Clean Up

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, (732) 672-5520, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

NEW YORK (Feb. 13, 2023) – U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia was joined by U.S. Representative Frank Pallone and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Sean Moriarty to announce that the Cornell Dubilier Electronics Superfund site in South Plainfield, NJ, is one of three sites in New Jersey to get funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to bolster cleanup progress. The BIL funding will be used to continue work already underway to dig up and dispose of PCB-contaminated soil and sediment in Bound Brook and nearby areas. This work has already started and is estimated to cost $152 million. The BIL funding will ensure the continuation of the project along the length of the brook.

"The unprecedented funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making a real difference for people across the country, including right here in South Plainfield, NJ. This funding will allow the removal of contaminated soil and sediment along the length of Bound Brook and its tributaries to continue at pace without interruption," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "In a state like NJ, where we have the most Superfund sites, this new money allows us to continue our work of cleaning up sites in communities across the state."

"New Jersey is home to the most Superfund sites in the nation, and I am proud to have helped secure the vital funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will fund this work," said Senator Bob Menendez. "Today's announcement means even more New Jersey communities will benefit from groundwater and soil remediation and improved public health, which will lead to cleaner and healthier communities and enhanced economic opportunity for residents, particularly here in South Plainfield, Byram and West Deptford. I want to thank the Biden Administration for their continued commitment to transforming communities who have been impacted by toxic contamination."

"New Jersey has the most Superfund sites of any state in America," said Senator Cory Booker. "These sites, disproportionately located in Black, Brown, and low-income communities, contain toxic substances that expose nearby residents to elevated risks of cancers, birth defects, and other serious health problems. Since the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, our state has received the federal support and resources necessary to remediate these sites, and today's announcement will ensure that we continue our vital progress."

"I'm proud to announce that help is on the way to clean up Superfund sites in New Jersey, including the Cornell-Dubilier Superfund Site in my district. Superfund sites threaten public and environmental health in New Jersey and across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering on the promise we made to clean up backlogged sites and give our communities the peace of mind they deserve," Congressmember Frank Pallone said. "I'm grateful to Administrators Regan and Garcia for working with us to get these sites cleaned up."

"For years, we've been trying to get this contaminated site cleaned up. Thanks to President Biden and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I proudly helped pass in Congress, we're finally getting the job done," said Representative Donald Norcross. "West Deptford families and business community don't want to live and work near contaminated Superfund sites. It's bad for our health and it's bad for business. I'll continue fighting in Congress to improve the environmental health and safety of South Jersey communities."

"New Jersey thanks its congressional delegation for securing funds that will further advance efforts by the EPA and DEP to foster healthy neighborhoods in our state," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "Together with our federal partners, my Administration has worked tirelessly to confront legacy environmental hazards that for far too long have limited the potential of New Jersey communities. Remediating contaminated soil and water in every corner of our state will safeguard the growth and development of our children for generations to come."

"New Jersey boasts the most Superfund sites in the country because we seek them out and clean them up—a mark not of indignity, but of our resolve," said State Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. "Thanks to the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Garden State champions in Congress like Rep. Frank Pallone, who fought for its passage, our partners at USEPA now have the resources to accelerate long-overdue cleanup activities, including the removal of toxic contaminants from sediments of the Bound Brook in South Plainfield. On behalf of the people of New Jersey, and their environment, I thank our partners at USEPA for this and other critical work to clean up past environmental harms all across our state."

Cornell-Dubilier Electronics, Inc. manufactured electronics parts at a 26-acre facility in South Plainfield from 1936 to 1962, after which it was converted to an industrial park. PCBs and solvents were used in the manufacturing process, and the company disposed of PCB-contaminated materials and other hazardous waste at the facility, contaminating the soil, groundwater, and nearby areas, including Bound Brook. In 1998, EPA added the site to the National Priorities List and has been cleaning it up in phases.

In the latest phase, contaminated sediment is being removed from Bound Brook. Nearby soil, starting from the upstream and proceeding downstream, is also being removed. To allow for the excavation, EPA removed trees and plants from the most upstream Bound Brook area near the site in February 2023. That work continues and the excavation is scheduled to begin in late March 2023. The sediment and floodplain soil are contaminated with PCBs from the former Cornell Dubilier Electronics operations. Once the material is excavated, it will be taken to and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility. EPA will conduct real-time air monitoring during excavation and handling activities for the safety of the workers and community and replace the trees and plants upon completion. This phase of the project is expected to take a year to complete. EPA will use the BIL funding to continue future phases of work further downstream at least as far as New Market Pond in Piscataway over the next several years.

Visit the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Inc. Superfund site profile page for additional background and site documents.

The other two sites in NJ receiving funding are Mansfield Trail Dump in Byram and Matteo & Sons Inc in West Deptford/Thorofare.

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