This is a cost recovery agreement pursuant to CERCLA Section 122(h) for recovery of past response costs by EPA from NEC Acquisition Company. EPA's past response costs are for a previous removal action in which EPA properly closed and abandoned several geothermal wells drilled at the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site by NEC Acquisition Company and/or its predesesors. The cost recovery agreement was signed by EPA on December 8, 2004. The thirty day public comment period ended Janauary 18, 2005 with receipt of public comments. EPA prepared responses to public comments, and on or about February 7, 2005, EPA received a wire transfer of the settlement amount ($1.7 million).