EPA, GE differ on how dredging should proceed

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

A panel of scientists evaluating Hudson River dredging is hearing very different ideas from General Electric Co. and federal regulators about how to continue the cleanup.

The panel today is studying results of last year’s dredging at PCB “hot spots” on the river about 40 miles north of Albany. The panel will make recommendations for the second phase of the project, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to start next year.

GE cites the amount of PCBs kicked up into the water during dredging in calling for a cap on the volume of PCBs that would be allowed to flow downstream during Phase 2.

EPA says Fairfield. Conn.-based GE is giving an overly pessimistic picture of the dredging. They want to continue Phase 2 with more modest engineering changes.