LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – On Monday Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a landmark settlement in the first PFAS case which included a settlement with Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc.
The group, which used to have a facility near Brighton, MI, now is required to investigate PFAS in soil, groundwater, and surface water discharged from their former facility, and to undertake response actions to address levels that exceed state criteria according to the AG’s office.
MORE NEWS: Illegal Alien Sentenced to 30-100 Years in Prison for Girlfriend’s Murder
“I started the PFAS Litigation project in 2020 to bring relief to communities impacted by PFAS contamination, and this settlement is another step in the right direction,” Nessel said in a statement. “I am pleased with this resolution, and I look forward to seeing the important investigation and work get underway.”
In addition to the more than $2.5 million in litigation costs, the Asahi company is also responsible for paying roughly $664,000 to cover all Past and Future Response Activity Costs according to court documents. It was also stipulated that if the full payments were not made within the time frame given, then “interest, at the rate specified” would “begin to accrue on the unpaid balance on the day after the payment was due, until the date upon which Defendant makes full payment on those costs and the accrued interest to EGLE.”
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) weighed in on the case too.
“EGLE is pleased with Attorney General Nessel’s work to help protect Michiganders from PFAS contamination and ensure the responsible party takes appropriate action to investigate and address hazardous releases,” Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy acting director, Dan Eichinger said. “EGLE continues[s] to work to identify, assess and address PFAS sites throughout the state, holding polluters accountable and protecting our state’s resources and people.”
Asahi is one of the 17 PFAs defendants named in Attorney General Nessel’s first lawsuit against PFAs manufacturers filed in 2020, but the case against Asahi was separated from the larger suit. At the moment, there are currently six other PFAS cases filed under the Special Assistant Attorneys General (SAAG) contract that are pending in the state and federal courts according to the Attorney General’s office.
MORE NEWS: A New Day: Michigan House Republicans Select New Leader
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.