On December 26, 2024, EPA entered into a settlement relating to the Southwest Properties, Operable Unit 4 of the Wells G&H Superfund Site located in Woburn, Massachusetts. One of the Southwest Properties was previously operated as a drum and barrel reconditioning and distribution facility by the now-defunct Whitney Barrel Company, Inc. (Whitney Barrel), which resulted in the disposal and release of hazardous substances. The settling party to the 122(h) Settlement Agreement, Raytheon Company and Paramount Global, was a customer of Whitney Barrel. A previous Settlement Agreement for remediation costs addressing contaminated soil and groundwater at the Southwest Properties and bordering wetlands was reached with other former Whitney Barrel customers and owner/operators. Raytheon and had elected not to enter into the former settlement. Under the current Settlement Agreements, the settling party paid EPA a cashout payment for costs associated with OU4 in exchange for a covenant not to sue for past response costs. Raytheon Company paid $400,000.
Under the 122(h) Settlement Agreement, Raytheon has agreed to make a one-time $400,000 payment for costs associated with OU4.