2011-17286. Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

Notice is hereby given that on June 27, 2011, a proposed Consent Decree in United States and State of Texas v. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 4:07-CV-3795, was lodged with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

In this action the United States, on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the State of Texas, on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”), sought, pursuant to Sections 107 and 113 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. 9607 and 9613, seeking reimbursement of response costs incurred or to be incurred for response actions taken at or in connection with the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at three facilities located in Webster, Texas (the “Webster Site”), Odessa, Texas (the “Odessa Site”), and Houston, Texas (the “Tavenor Site”), known collectively as the “Sites,” as well as declaratory relief.

The United States has negotiated a Consent Decree with defendants GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corporation, GE Healthcare Holdings Inc., and GE Healthcare Inc. (collectively the “GE Entities”) to resolve the CERCLA claims. The proposed Consent Decree resolves the liability of the GE Entities for response costs incurred or to be incurred and response actions taken in connection with the Sites. Under the Consent Decree, the GE Entities agree to reimburse the United States a share of its response costs for the Sites by a payment in the amount of $650,000. This Consent Decree includes a covenant not to sue by the United States under Sections 104(e), 106, 107 and 113 of CERCLA.

The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this publication comments relating to the Consent Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, and either e-mailed to [e-mail] or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, NW., Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to United States and State of Texas v. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., et al., D.J. Ref. 90-11-3-07730/1.

The Consent Decree may be examined at U.S. EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas, 75202. During the public comment period, the Consent Decree, may also be examined on the following Department of Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/​enrd/​Consent_​Decrees.html. A copy of the Consent Decree may also be obtained by mail from the Consent Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611 or by faxing or e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood ([e-mail]), fax no. [phone], phone confirmation number [phone]. In requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $6.75 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury or, if by e-mail or fax, forward a check in that amount to the Consent Decree Library at the stated address.

Maureen Katz,

Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.