Editing General Electric (section)

===Pollution===
Some of GE's activities have given rise to large-scale [[air pollution|air]] and [[water pollution]]. Based on data from 2000,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peri.umass.edu/Technical-Notes.264.0.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902163819/http://www.peri.umass.edu/Technical-Notes.264.0.html |archive-date=September 2, 2006 |title=Political Economy Research Institute Toxic 100 Corporate Toxics Information Project Technical Notes |url-status=dead |access-date=June 1, 2016}}. Retrieved November 9, 2007.</ref> Researchers at the [[Political Economy Research Institute]] listed the corporation as the fourth-largest corporate producer of [[air pollution in the United States]] (behind only [[DuPont (1802–2017)|E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.]], [[U.S. Steel|United States Steel Corp]]., and [[ConocoPhillips]]), with more than 4.4&nbsp;million pounds per year (2,000 tons) of toxic chemicals released into the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtknet.org/new/tox100/toxic100.php?database=t1&detail=1&datype=T&reptype=a&company1=&company2=8337&chemfac=fac&advbasic=bas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204419/http://www.rtknet.org/new/tox100/toxic100.php?database=t1&detail=1&datype=T&reptype=a&company1=&company2=8337&chemfac=fac&advbasic=bas |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |title=Political Economy Research Institute |date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 23, 2012}}</ref> GE has also been implicated in the creation of [[toxic waste]]. According to [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) documents, only the [[United States Government]], [[Honeywell]], and [[Chevron Corporation]] are responsible for producing more [[Superfund]] toxic waste sites.<ref>[http://projects.publicintegrity.org/superfund/report.aspx?aid=849 EPA Document Lists Firms Tied to Superfund Sites] The Center for Public Integrity {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214015455/http://projects.publicintegrity.org/superfund/report.aspx?aid=849 |date=February 14, 2009 }}</ref>

In 1983, [[New York State Attorney General]] [[Robert Abrams]] filed suit in the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of New York]] to compel GE to pay for the clean-up of what was claimed to be more than 100,000 tons of chemicals dumped from their plant in [[Waterford, New York]], which polluted nearby groundwater and the [[Hudson River]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/21/nyregion/the-region-ge-plant-accused-of-water-pollution.html The Region; G.E. Plant Accused Of Water Pollution"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708030319/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/21/nyregion/the-region-ge-plant-accused-of-water-pollution.html |date=July 8, 2017 }}, ''The New York Times'', January 21, 1983</ref> In 1999, the company agreed to pay a $250&nbsp;million settlement in connection with claims it polluted the [[Housatonic River]] (at [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]]) and other sites with [[polychlorinated biphenyl]]s (PCBs) and other hazardous substances.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1999/October/471enr.htm GE agrees to $250&nbsp;million Settlement to Clean Up PCBs in Housatonic River] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028022004/http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1999/October/471enr.htm |date=October 28, 2011}}, Department of Justice news release, October 7, 1999</ref>

In 2003, acting on concerns that the plan proposed by GE did not "provide for adequate protection of public health and the environment," EPA issued an administrative order for the company to "address cleanup at the GE site" in [[Rome, Georgia]], also contaminated with PCBs.<ref>US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atlanta, GA (2003-06-12). [http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/e51aa292bac25b0b85257359003d925f/5592f5848c70b2858525731b00674e9c!OpenDocument EPA issues unilateral administrative order to General Electric Company in Rome, Georgia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224024937/http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/e51aa292bac25b0b85257359003d925f/5592f5848c70b2858525731b00674e9c!OpenDocument |date=December 24, 2010}} Press release.</ref>

The [[nuclear reactor]]s involved in the 2011 crisis at [[Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant|Fukushima I]] in Japan were GE designs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/13/6256121-general-electric-designed-reactors-in-fukushima-have-23-sisters-in-us |title=General Electric-designed reactors in Fukushima have 23 sisters in U.S |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |access-date=April 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320141531/http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/13/6256121-general-electric-designed-reactors-in-fukushima-have-23-sisters-in-us |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}</ref> and the architectural designs were done by [[Ebasco]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuctrans.org/Nuc_Trans/locations/daiichi/daiichi.htm |title=Nuclear Reactor Maps: Fukushima-Daiichi |publisher=Nuctrans.org |access-date=April 23, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115221836/http://nuctrans.org/Nuc_Trans/locations/daiichi/daiichi.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2013 }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Self-published ref; not in English|date=September 2023}} formerly owned by GE. Concerns over the design and safety of these reactors were raised as early as 1972, but [[tsunami]] danger was not discussed at that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fukushima-mark-nuclear-reactor-design-caused-ge-scientist/story?id=13141287 |title=Fukushima: Mark 1 Nuclear Reactor Design Caused GE Scientist To Quit In Protest |publisher=ABC |location=US |date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422005148/https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fukushima-mark-nuclear-reactor-design-caused-ge-scientist/story?id=13141287 |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, the same model nuclear reactors designed by GE are operating in the US;<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.inquirer.com/archives/|title=Archives &#124; The Philadelphia Inquirer|website=inquirer.com|access-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811024423/https://www.inquirer.com/archives/|archive-date=August 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> however, as of May 31, 2019, the controversial [[Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station]], in [[Plymouth, Massachusetts]], has been shut down and is in the process of decommission.

====Pollution of the Hudson River====
{{main|Pollution of the Hudson River}}
GE heavily contaminated the Hudson River with PCBs between 1947 and 1977.<ref name="epa_ge">{{cite web |title=Hudson River PCBs – Background and Site Information |publisher=EPA |url=http://www.epa.gov/hudson/background.htm |access-date=December 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706172814/http://www.epa.gov/hudson/background.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> This pollution caused a range of harmful effects to wildlife and people who eat fish from the river.<ref name=epa_gel>{{cite web|title=National Priorities List Fact Sheets: Hudson River PCBs |publisher=EPA |url=http://www.epa.gov/Region2/superfund/npl/0202229c.pdf |access-date=December 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201054957/http://www.epa.gov/Region2/superfund/npl/0202229c.pdf |archive-date=December 1, 2007 }}</ref> In 1983 EPA declared a 200-mile (320&nbsp;km) stretch of the river, from Hudson Falls to New York City, to be a [[Superfund]] site requiring cleanup. This Superfund site is considered to be one of the largest in the nation.<ref name="upi.com">{{cite news |first=Gerry |last=Harrington |title=Movement afoot to name the bridge after Pete Seeger |url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2014/01/31/Movement-afoot-to-name-bridge-after-Pete-Seeger/UPI-15581391204873/ |work=[[United Press International]] |date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203082935/http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2014/01/31/Movement-afoot-to-name-bridge-after-Pete-Seeger/UPI-15581391204873/ |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to receiving extensive fines, GE is continuing its sediment removal operations, pursuant to the Superfund orders, in the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/77105.html |title=How is the Hudson Doing?|website=Hudson River Estuary Program |publisher=New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |location=Albany, NY |access-date=November 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119075142/http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/77105.html|archive-date=November 19, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Pollution of the Housatonic River====
From {{circa|1932}} until 1977, GE polluted the Housatonic River with PCB discharges from its plant at [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]]. EPA designated the Pittsfield plant and several miles of the Housatonic to be a Superfund site in 1997, and ordered GE to remediate the site.<ref>EPA. Boston, MA. [http://www.epa.gov/NE/ge/sitehistory.html GE/Housatonic River Site in New England: Site History and Description."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519121339/http://www.epa.gov/NE/ge/sitehistory.html |date=May 19, 2011 }} November 12, 2009.</ref> Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1260, products manufactured by [[Monsanto]], were the principal contaminants that were discharged into the river.<ref>{{cite web |title=Understanding PCB Risks at the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site |url=http://www2.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/understanding-pcb-risks-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site#WhatArePCBs |publisher=EPA |access-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926080453/http://www2.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/understanding-pcb-risks-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site#WhatArePCBs |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=USGS>{{cite web |last1=Gay |first1=Frederick B. |last2=Frimpter |first2=Michael H. |title=Distribution of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Housatonic River and Adjacent Aquifer, Massachusetts |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/2266/report.pdf |date=1985 |publisher=US Geological Survey |location=Alexandria, VA |id=Water-Supply Paper 2266 |access-date=January 29, 2016 |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926102742/http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/2266/report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The highest concentrations of PCBs in the Housatonic River are found in Woods Pond in [[Lenox, Massachusetts]], just south of Pittsfield, where they have been measured up to 110&nbsp;mg/kg in the sediment.<ref name=USGS/> About 50% of all the PCBs currently in the river are estimated to be retained in the sediment behind Woods Pond dam. This is estimated to be about {{convert|11,000|lb|kg}} of PCBs.<ref name=USGS/> Formerly filled oxbows are also polluted.<ref name=EPA1>{{cite web |title=Former Filled Oxbows of the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site |url=http://www2.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/former-filled-oxbows-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site |publisher=EPA |access-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002021016/http://www2.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/former-filled-oxbows-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Waterfowl and fish who live in and around the river contain significant levels of PCBs and can present health risks if consumed.<ref name=CTDPH1>{{cite web|title=If I Catch It, Can I Eat It? A Guide to Eating Fish Safely – 2015 Connecticut Fish Consumption Advisory Site |url=http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/2015_fish_flyer_english.pdf |publisher=Connecticut Department of Public Health |access-date=October 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907221916/https://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/2015_fish_flyer_english.pdf |archive-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name=MDPH>{{cite web|title=General State-wide Advice for Eating Recreationally Caught Fish and Waterfowl In Massachusetts|url=http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/environmental/investigations/housatonic-river-report-2011.pdf|website=Mass.gov|publisher=MDPH|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916005301/http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/environmental/investigations/housatonic-river-report-2011.pdf|archive-date=September 16, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rest of River of the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site |url=http://www2.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/rest-river-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926092345/http://www2.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/rest-river-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site|archive-date=September 26, 2015 |publisher=EPA |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020 GE completed remediation and restoration of its 10 manufacturing plant areas within the city of Pittsfield.<ref>{{cite web |title=GE Plant Area of the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site |url=https://www.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/ge-plant-area-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site |date=2020-02-19 |publisher=EPA |access-date=2019-12-08 |archive-date=2019-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208043930/https://www.epa.gov/ge-housatonic/ge-plant-area-ge-pittsfieldhousatonic-river-site |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2023}} plans for cleanup of the river south of the city are not finalized.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Nancy Eve |title=Federal appeals court rejects environmentalists' challenge to EPA's Housatonic cleanup plan |url=https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2023-07-28/federal-appeals-court-rejects-environmentalists-challenge-to-epas-housatonic-cleanup-plan |date=2023-07-28 |work=New England Public Media |access-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918044856/https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2023-07-28/federal-appeals-court-rejects-environmentalists-challenge-to-epas-housatonic-cleanup-plan |url-status=live }}</ref>