Waste Management Responds to Governor's Coordinated Investigation in Kettleman City
Kettleman City, CA, January 29, 2010 — In response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s announcement this afternoon directing the California Department of Public Health and the California Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the health concerns of residents in Kettleman City, Waste Management issued the following statement from Helen Herrera, community relations manager for the Kettleman Hills Facility:
“Waste Management is pleased the state will be investigating the potential causes of the five babies born with birth defects and health concerns in Kettleman City. The complexities of the issue require the expertise of officials at the local, state and federal level and we at Waste Management have advocated for such an approach when the issues first came to light more than a year ago.
We continue to believe that a coordinated interagency approach is in the best interest of the Kettlemen City and Kings County communities. It is our hope that these investigative efforts will give much needed answers for Kettleman City residents.
In the meantime, we are standing by to provide support and assistance necessary to help with the investigation. We believe our Kettleman Hills facility is highly protective of human health and the environment. Waste Management has been in Kings County for nearly three decades and as a long-time member of the Kings County community, we will continue to be a dedicated community partner.”
CONTACT: Helen Luibel Herrera
(559) 386-9711
hherrer1@wm.com
Waste Management’s (WM) Kettleman Hills Facility has been an integral part of the Kings County Community for more than 28 years. The facility is permitted to handle municipal solid waste and hazardous waste, both of which are heavily regulated, monitored and controlled by more than 10 local, state and federal government agencies. The facility’s staff includes 60 full-time employees, many of whom are active in the community. In addition to its community contributions and significant volunteer efforts, Waste Management provides a benefit to the local economy of more than $17million annually with a $3.7 million annual payroll. WM also contributes nearly $3 million per year directly to the Kings County General Fund through disposal fees. For more information, visit our website at www.kettlemanhillsfacts.com.