Carcieri orders violation notice for Tiverton contamination

Gov. Donald L. Carcieri has ordered the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to issue a notice of violation to Southern Union Co., new owner of New England Gas Co., in regards to decades-old soil contamination in a residential section of Tiverton.

Carcieri wants New England Gas, and now Southern Union, to completely remediate the contamination as soon as possible. If not addressed, the notice of violation could eventually lead to fines and a formal order to clean up the contaminated areas.

“For several years now, I’ve been trying to get New England Gas to clean up the contamination in Tiverton,” Carcieri said. “I have toured the area, met with Tiverton residents, and done all I could to help them to deal with the contamination.

“Throughout that time, the Department of Environmental Management has been working hard to get New England Gas and Southern Union to do the responsible thing and to solve the problem. DEM officials had hoped that we could avoid the possibility of a protracted legal battle that could stall the clean up for years. Sadly, those discussions simply haven’t resulted in a resolution for the residents of Tiverton.”

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“After several years of work, I’m saying that enough is enough,” the Governor said. “We must get this problem resolved now. Tiverton residents cannot wait any longer. Southern Union must begin to clean up the contamination in Tiverton.”

He added, “We have tried to be patient. Now, we want and deserve quick action.”

Last month, the governor signed nto law a bill enabling residents of the affected neighborhood to receive low-interest home-repair loans. People living in those areas haven’t been able to get home equity loans or to sell their homes because of the contamination.

Under the new law, the Environmentally Compromised Home Opportunity loan program will enable those whose homes have lost significant value because of contamination issues to apply for low-interest loans, up to $25,000, through Rhode Island Housing.

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