[GWC...]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

This is a case of something that happened 50+ years ago, comming back to haunt a company years later, because it is not suitable by todays standards. While I understand the enviormental impacts and concerns, a company shouldn't be punished for something that happened 50 years ago. From what I can tell the in the brief reading I did the company that created this problem has now through multiple mergers become Keyspan. As a company they had now involvement in the situation 50 years ago. They have however purposed a reasonable clean up. From what I can tell it sounds as though the people and town think more should be done. I think that if more aggressive plans are felt to be warrented the towns people better be ready to kick in some money for the project. The town didn't push hard enough to clean this up 50 years ago, they are also to blame.

Way to often companies are getting punished for enviornmental disasters and being asked to clean them up, when the disasters happened many years ago knowingly to the public. I don't believe it is correct or proper to punish a company for something they did in the pass, that has only been deemed a disaster by todays standards. They are hard lessons to learn for sure, but life is about learning and mistakes happen.

You should take the time to read the articles in the links.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...WS02/711240037

The transport company paid.

and...

Keyspan is being cheap.

Originally Posted by online Citizen

While the main emphasis is on cost, with complete removal priced at nearly $16 million, during the winter of 2006-2007, KeySpan received authorization from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission to build fees into the cost of gas to recover cleanup expenditures incurred from any cleanup of sites like Liberty Hill throughout the state. That cost amounts to $19 extra per year for the average KeySpan customer.

This year KeySpan was able to recover more than $12 million from insurance companies that covered the companies originally responsible for the coal tar dumping back in the 1950s.

Gov. John Lynch has not yet weighed in on the issue, although the town is hoping for his support of full removal.

"We trust DES will work closely with the community on this important issue," said Lynch Press Secretary Colin Manning, saying the governor will remain in contact with DES officials.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...WS02/711180061

Where are the environmental groups?

Originally Posted by online citizen

More recently, engineers have found that there has been an exposure pathway detected into Jewett Brook. This means chemicals may have been leaching into the brook for the past 50 years.

The brook winds its way through several Laconia neighborhoods and eventually empties into the Winnipesaukee River. Earlier this month, a hiker walking along the brook behind the former house lots reported a strong, foul odor.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...5/-1/CITNEWS01

Who does NHDES represent in this matter?

Originally Posted by online Citizen

"I can't believe what I am hearing," said Goodhue, drawing issue with the DES stance on not mandating complete removal and the EPA's indication that they might decide the same.

"At the last public hearing you people held it seemed like you were there representing KeySpan," said Goodhue to DES Supervisor John Regan, who had previously explained to Gilford officials and residents why KeySpan should not have to bear the cost burden of complete removal. "I don't think there are too many people in that room that are feeling sorry for an energy company paying $16 million."

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...WS02/711150062