General Electric to Begin Dredging PCBs in Hudson

Dredging for PCBs in the Hudson River is set to begin Friday after decades of arguments and negotiations.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency says dredging on a stretch of river 45 miles north of Albany in Fort Edward will begin Friday morning. The agency called for dredging in 2002.

General Electric Co. discharged wastewater containing PCBs _ a probable carcinogen _ into the Hudson before the substance was banned in 1977. Contamination is concentrated along the upper river.

Under an agreement with the EPA, GE will clean up 265,000 cubic yards of river bottom this year. Results will be studied before the start of a second, much larger, stage.

GE Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt says Tuesday the company is committed to doing a professional job.