SCRANTON – A state agency and the federal government are suing a Delaware-incorporated company over the cleanup of a Luzerne County site.
United States of America and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection filed a complaint on Sept. 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Foster Wheeler Energy Corp. citing the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.
According to the complaint, the defendant is the former owner of 105 acres in the Crestwood Industrial Park Complex in Mountain Top where large pressure vessels were manufactured and fabricated by Foster Wheeler Corp. The suit states Foster Wheeler Corp. operated at the location from 1953 through 1984.
The plaintiffs allege there is an area of groundwater and soil contamination at the site that is contaminated by trichloroethylene, which was used as a metal cleaner.
The plaintiffs are seeking a judgment that the defendant is liable for all unreimbursed costs they have incurred in connection with the site. They are represented by attorneys with the U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division in Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh; and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in Wilkes-Barre.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 3:19-CV-01620