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What followed was a string of additional violations, excuses and second chances.
“Health and safety and environmental considerations must take priority over defense considerations,” Sen. Warner said recently. He said he supports state efforts to hold Avtex responsible for its pollution violations.
“[Attorney General Mary Sue Terry] is going to have my full support as she works with state agencies and the EPA to clean up water and atmospheric discharges,” said Sen." Warner.
The federal government is expediting the certification of North American Rayon, located in Tennessee, as a second source of carbonized rayon, Sen. Warner said. However, NASA and DOD have sufficient supply to await the transition, he added.
In addition, Sen. Warner said he has introduced successful legislation requiring the Army Corps of Engineers “to determine the damage and the environmental impact, the cost and time schedules for restoring water quality of the Shenandoah River from pollution from the Avtex plant.”
The EPA has been on the scene for months supervising the clean-up of ground water contamination caused by Avtex that was discovered in 1983. Avtex and former plant owner FMC Corp. were order by the EPA in July to share in the cost of the $9 million project.
The groundwater project, coupled with PCB clean-up of the river, is projected to catapult the clean-up costs around the plant into the “tens of millions,” according to Voltaggio.
Avtex officials have repeatedly said that the company made every effort to comply with state regulations, pouring millions of dollars into clean-up cost. They blame unforseeable mishaps and overly-stringent state standards for air and water violations.
State officials disagree.
“Everything that [Avtex officials] have done has been as a result of court order and with tax payers’ money,” said Burt Rohrer, spokesman for the attorney general's office.
Inevitably, however, the citizens of Virginiawill pay the price for clean air and water.
“The bottom line is that the taxpayer is going to foot the bill,” said Rohrer. “We’re certainly going to make every effort, possible to make the company pay. ”
A hearing between Avtex and the State Water Control Board was scheduled in Richmond Circuit Court Wednesday, Nov. 15 where the company must answer to the PCB allegations.
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