Document j9kLXOJ48k9nzj6brmmV081R

1/ 33 Controversy Over Discharge of PCB's j In Hudson Leads to 2 State Aides' Split By' RICHARD StVERO The controversy over the dis charge Into the environment of the toxic chemicals known as RCB's grew into an open spilt yesterday between two New York Stale Commissioners '--John S. Dyson, who promotes commerce, and Ogden R. Reid, who protects the environment Mr. Dyson, Commissioner of Commerce, urged the end of a hearing called to determine whether General Electric violat ed stale water-quality stan* darda by discharging polychlor* inated biphenyls Into the Hud son River from two capacitor plants north of Albany. Efforts should be made for a negotiat ed settlement, rathor than wail ing for a formal decision, he Tit* N* Ywk linn . _ said. Mr. Reid, Commissioner of; John S. Dyson Ogden It. Reid . , Environmental Conservation, who called (he hearing after high levels of the chemicals had been Tound In Hudson Riv er fish, his asked the company to halt the discharges by next ry. Jf zero discharge 'means zero Jobs and three ounces means 1,200 jobs, I say we go for the three ounces." Mr. Dyson said he had not rend anything Indicating that his aides said the Governor would have no comment off either Mr. Dysop's statement or the petition Uilil Professor Sofacr issued his findings. . Sept. 30. G.E. says it does not have (he technical compe tence to accomplish that. The hearing ended last month and a decision is expected by PCB's had "killed specific fish or caused any demonstrable change in the environment." Employees Complain Employee sources at the two. plants, at Fort Coward eng Hudson Falls, said yesterday, (hat the petitions Md beeh circulated because of an un-. the end of this month. ' However, he Indicated that founded rumor that started two Comment Declined he had not read all the hearing weeks ago, to the effect that testimony and scientific litera Mr. Reid planned to close doiya The company has indicated ture and that "all these things the two plants. that ll can reduce Ilf dis are a little vague" to him Mr. Reid has aaid he had/ charges, now betwoen two and PCB's are known to cause no intention of ordering a clos three pounds a day, to about cancer and reproductive ing, only to determine the na?( three ounce* by June 1. 1977. failures in laboratory animals lure and extent of the damagt' Mr. Reid has said this Is not nd some employees of G.E. caused by the PCB's and to acceptable, because he feels have complained of skin determine a suitable remedy.. the dischargee may be doing diseases, nausea, eye and nasal A spokesman for General irreparable damage to the river. irritation, asthmatic bronchitis Electric said weeks ago (hit, "it would he highly Inappro and dizziness. the company would consider, priate for me to comment sub- Mr. Dyson said he had peti closing if H could not operate alanlivcly on the G.E. oast* tions bearing the names ol under standards established by' presently before the hearing 1,058 of the more than 1,200 the slate. , examiner, Prof. Abraham So- General Electric workers ot the The United Electrical Radio, facr," Mr. Reid laid. "Indeed, two plants, addressed to Gover and Machine Workers of Amer it seems to me K would be In nor Carey, saying In part: "New ica, which represents G.E. em appropriate for any intervenof York has enough problems now ployees at the two capacitor In the case to comment on h." wilhout creating more unem plant,*!, has taken the position The Department of Commerce ployment. Because of overly that it should not be a question' Is an Intervenor. ambitious politicians, are we of health or jobs and expressed "That Is Just hooey,'* retorted to suffer needlessly?" confidence that the problem,' Mr. Dyson. "His agency Is the Governor Carey I; on vaca could be resolved wilhout.elos-' plaintiff, the Judge and the ju- tion In the Bahamas. One of mfi. ' '. HONS 032<><>3