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Connecticut Utility Agrees to Pay $72,930 For PCB Violations

Release Date: 10/02/2000
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - A Connecticut utility has agreed to pay $72,930 to settle claims by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that two of the company's subsidiaries violated laws regulating the use, cleanup and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

According to an agreement signed this week, two subsidiaries of Northeast Utilities System violated environmental laws at six electrical substations in five Connecticut towns and at one pole-mounted transformer.

The Connecticut Light and Power Co. failed to perform timely cleanups of PCB spills at these locations in accordance with EPA policy. In addition, the Northeast Nuclear Energy Co. was responsible for three violations at its Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford. The company used paint contaminated with PCBs above acceptable levels to coat the inside of a fire water storage tank from 1969 to 1999; improperly disposed of PCBs when it drained the tank in 1998 and failed to prepare proper documentation for four 55-gallon drums of water and sludge shipped off site for disposal.

"PCBs are considered probable carcinogens and laws regulating this toxic material are meant to protect the public's health and the environment," said Mindy S. Lubber, Regional Administrator of EPA New England. "This enforcement action will go a long way in assuring the public that their health is being protected."

The Connecticut Light and Power Co. paid $10,500 in 1997 to settle other violations of PCB regulations.