02/21/2012: Amendment to add an additional parcel of land.
ON JANUARY 3, 2002, THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR APPROVED A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER AGREEMENT ( AGREEMENT ) BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES ON BEHALF OF EPA, AND THE PITTSFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ( PEDA ). THE AGREEMENT IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD EVENTUAL REDEVELOPMENT OF A 52 ACRE PORTION OF THE FORMER GENERAL ELECTRIC ( GE ) FACILITY IN PITTSFIELD IN OCTOBER 2000, EPA AND EIGHT OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ENTERED INTO A JUDICIAL CONSENT DECREE WITH GE TO RESPOND TO PCB CONTAMINATION IN PITTSFIELD AND THE HOUSATONIC RIVER. THE DECREE REQUIRES GE TO PERFORM AND/OR PAY FOR $300-700 MILLION IN REMEDIATION, COST RECOVERY AND NATURAL RESOURCE RESTORATION. AS A COMPANION AGREEMENT TO THE DECREE, GE, THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD, AND PEDA AGREED ON A $45 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TRANSFER OF 52 ACRES OF PROPERTY TO PEDA. THE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT WILL ALLOW PEDA TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY TO BE REDEVELOPED WITHOUT FEAR OF FEDERAL LIABILITY FOR EXISTING CONTAMINATION. FOLLOWING APPROVAL BY THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO A 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. IN ADDITION TO THE CONTACTS BELOW, SIGNIFICANT ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY AUDREY ZUCKER OF OES, HELEN KEPLINGER OF EPA'S NATIONAL OFFICE OF SITE REMEDIATION ENFORCEMENT, AND ROSE HOWELL OF OSSR.