South Jersey to receive over $25M for hazardous waste cleanup at Welsbach Site

Today, Congressman Andrews announced over $25 million in new funding for the continued cleanup of hazardous waste at the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Sites, which span Camden and Gloucester Cities. Congressman Andrews' announcement follows yesterday afternoon's White House press conference where EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced $600 million in new funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the cleanup of hazardous waste (Superfund) sites nationwide. 

At the turn of the 20th century, Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Companies were nationally renowned energy providers, manufacturing up to 250,000 incandescent gas mantles a day. Before electricity was the primary source of power in America, gas mantles were used to generate light for millions of homes, offices and streetlamps. Unfortunately, these companies used agents in their mantles that contaminated the soil with radioactive materials, which more recently have been correlated with increased risks of certain types of cancer. This boost in Federal funding will allow the EPA and its partners to maximize their efforts in maintaining a safe and clean environment.

"Today, the EPA put a plan into practice that will not only remove hazardous, cancer causing materials from our communities but will put Americans back to work and get our economy growing again," said Congressman Andrews.

While this initiative is necessary to address rising environmental and health concerns, the potential for job generation is also significant given the current tight job market. As our country faces its highest unemployment rate in 25 years, this funding provides county and local governments with a necessary boost to preserve and generate thousands of jobs. There will be an immediate demand to hire skilled construction workers and engineers to create and implement new methods of hazardous waste removal while creating little to no interruption of the local residents' day-to-day lives.

Congressman Andrews continues to support legislation like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that invests federal dollars where they are needed most while working to get our economy back on the course of long-term growth.

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