Governor Newsom Applauds U.S. EPA's Proposal to Add Southern California Facility to Superfund List

“This is a huge step forward in our critical work to protect surrounding communities from Exide’s toxic legacy,” said Governor Newsom.Photo byAaron Monarrez MezaonUnsplash

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement today after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the proposed addition of the former Exide facility in Vernon to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). This designation would make the site eligible for federal funding to support long-term cleanup efforts.

The Newsom Administration has strongly supported the Superfund designation to further California’s efforts to clean up lead contamination from Exide’s operations, which has affected over 5,300 properties in the surrounding community. To date, the state has invested more than $770 million in cleanup efforts, targeting an area disproportionately impacted by pollution.

“This is a huge step forward in our critical work to protect surrounding communities from Exide’s toxic legacy,” said Governor Newsom. “The Superfund designation would bring in vital federal resources to further the state’s ongoing cleanup – one of the largest in U.S. history. We look forward to continued progress with federal partners to remedy this decades-long injustice and do right by our communities.”

The U.S. EPA will hold a 60-day public comment period on the proposal to add the Exide facility to the NPL. Further details on next steps are available online.