The Chromium Cleanup Partnership was formed in 2009 when the Superior Court of New Jersey, the City of Jersey City, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and PPG Industries agreed to work together to address the cleanup of 20 chromium sites in Hudson County that PPG is responsible for.

As part of the agreement, the partners established a five-year goal for cleaning up all PPG sites. To help meet this objective, the court appointed Mike McCabe as independent site administrator with oversight responsibilities.

In particular, the site administrator will:

• Develop a judicially enforceable master schedule, including a timetable for submitting project work plans by PPG, reviewing those documents by an independent technical consultant and issuing subsequent ruling by NJDEP;
• Monitor closely, facilitate and promote partnership progress in meeting master schedule milestones:
• Conduct meetings to resolve issues that might arise;
• Hire an independent technical consultant and experts as needed for the review of PPG’s submittals;
• Maintain regular communications with community representatives, soliciting their opinions and ideas; and
• Communicate community concerns to the partnership.

In May of 2005, the State of New Jersey filed a lawsuit against PPG and two other chromium manufacturers to clean up all remaining sites for which they are responsible. In 2009, PPG reached a settlement agreement that called for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Jersey City and PPG to collaborate on the timely cleanup of sites the company is responsible for. Represented by the independent site administrator, the court is responsible for enforcing the terms of the agreement.

As a party to the agreement, Jersey City officials are responsible for representing the interests of the city, including its residents. Eighteen of the 20 PPG cleanup sites are located in Jersey City.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has responsibility for reviewing and approving PPG’s project plans and field operations, including final remedies. In particular, the agency determines the cleanup standards that must be met. No cleanup can proceed unless it meets the requirements set by NJDEP.

A former chromium manufacturer, PPG Industries is responsible for the cleanup of 20 chromium sites in Hudson County.