GE Completes Billion-Dollar Dredging Project Ahead of Schedule
Key Facts
- Largest environmental dredging project in the US
- Over 2.7 million cubic yards of sediment removed
The Situation
GE was tasked under state and federal consent orders with the environmental cleanup of PCBs related to past use of General Electric manufacturing facilities in Upstate New York, adjacent to the Hudson River. GE undertook cleanup of over 40 miles of the Hudson River and its related manufacturing sites along the River — all while dealing with local and environmental communities' important concerns and sensitivities. GE looked to Mintz to provide full legal support on procurement, contract operations, and litigation risk management to keep this large, complex project moving with minimal disruptions on an aggressive schedule.
The Approach
This historic project used a wide variety of environmental dredging, processing, restoration, and demolition means and methods — including some that were novel to the industry. Efficient and streamlined legal support was essential. From hands-on procurement and contract support to risk assessment and dispute avoidance, we were fully integrated in the GE team. We worked together to assure this complex project moved promptly through multiple construction seasons. The ripple effect of any construction delay was simply not acceptable. From contract formation and through project completion, we provided practical, no-nonsense support and guidance to GE’s skilled project team — often when the answer "could not wait until tomorrow.”
The Outcome
GE was able to complete its historic $1.7 billion dredging project years ahead of schedule with zero significant disputes. The demolition and remediation of manufacturing sites are ongoing.
Supporting Professionals
Will Hill, Co-chair of the firm’s Construction Practice, provided procurement, contract, and litigation risk management support for GE with the assistance of Associate Rebecca Raphaelson.
