City to Pay for Asbestos Cleanup

Article Added September 27th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

San Jose may have gotten a discount in 2003 for abatement performed within the city limits. The EPA stepped in and offered to find and fund the best price possible with the understanding the city would pay them back.

The Environmental Education Center in San Jose, California was always a popular place for field trips and picnics. But after high levels of asbestos were detected in the soil in 2003, the city was faced with a very expensive abatement. Instead of offering the contract to local and state companies, officials from San Jose went to the EPA for help. Since the land affected was in a protected area, the EPA stepped in and capped, then cleaned, the soil of all asbestos residue.

The city of San Jose agreed to foot the bill for the abatement after the EPA could decide how much of their yearly expenses came from the project. Earlier this year, the city and EPA agreed to a sum of $245,000, much less than any of the bids presented to the city from private companies. Both parties involved feel that the agreement was in everyone’s best interest, including the public. The city plans to pay the amount at the beginning of the last quarter.

Article Added September 27th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story