PHILADELPHIA, March 28, 2006 - State Sen. Michael Stack sees a recent court decision as an important step in moving forward with the $18 million cleanup of the Metal Bank Superfund site.

“I applaud the federal court’s decision to approve the Metal Bank Superfund cleanup settlement,” said Stack (D-Philadelphia). “This action continues the progress toward redevelopment and a beautiful riverfront.”

On March 16, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that the federal district court in Philadelphia had approved a settlement between the government and several parties that were allegedly responsible for contamination at the Metal Bank site.

The Metal Bank Superfund site occupies approximately 10 acres along the Delaware River. From 1968 to 1972, Metal Bank of America, Inc., drained oil from used transformers to reclaim copper parts. The oil was stored in an underground storage tank, which ruptured in 1972.

The Superfund cleanup involves removing soil and sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as the removal of the underground storage tank.

More information on the Metal Bank cleanup is available at www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/PAD046557096.

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