© 2024 Innovation Trail

GM cleans up its act at contaminated sites

GM plants like this one in Lansing, Mich. are getting cleaned up.
betsyweber
/
via Flickr
GM plants like this one in Lansing, Mich. are getting cleaned up.

Cleaning up GM's act

Former GM properties in New York will receive $153.8 million to clean up old manufacturing sites.  It's part of a $773 million fund provided by "Old GM," announced by the Obama administration, reports the Post-Standard:

Overall, the trust fund will pay for cleanup and redevelopment work at 89 former GM properties left contaminated or in need of restoration after GM declared bankruptcy last year, according to terms of a settlement submitted to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The White House said two-thirds of the 89 properties are contaminated with hazardous waste.

The bulk of New York's money will go to Massena, which is a superfund site.  For the five sites being cleaned up here New York netted almost as much as Michigan, which received $159 million to remediate 57 sites, according to a Department of Justice release.

Elections and money
The Times-Union did a comparison of Cuomo and Paladino's economic plans, noting that the Business Council is endorsing Cuomo over Paladino because he's offered more specifics.  The Innovation Trail did a similar breakdown earlier this week.

And the Buffalo News has the details about where Andrew Cuomo's campaign cash is coming from, in anticipation of finance figures expected Friday.  Here are the highlights, according to the paper:

*One of every $3 raised by Cuomo came from corporations, partnerships, unions and other special interests. *About half of Cuomo's donors gave him $1,000 or more, and 1 in 6 gave him $5,000 or more. *A large percentage of his money came from New York City real estate interests that in some instances gave up to $100,000. *Seven of every $10 that Cuomo took in across New York State came from New York City, Long Island or Westchester County. *Cuomo's fundraising pales in comparison to previous candidates for governor, but he still refunded more money last month than his opponent took in.

Foreclosure freeze thaws
Lawyers in New York now have to make sure that foreclosure paperwork is accurate, reports the Times-Union.  The ruling came down from New York's chief judge Jonathan Lippman on Wednesday, in response to accusations that mortgage companies "robo-signed" thousands of foreclosures:

The rule requiring a signed affirmation applies to both new cases and the 78,000 foreclosure actions already under way in New York courts. Lawyers handling pending foreclosure actions will probably need to go back to their clients and verify that all proper steps were followed, Lippman said.

And the New York Times brings us a look at how the robo-signing scandal will play out now that many banks are lifting their temporary freezes on foreclosures. 

Cuts at Xerox despite profits
Xerox is in the black, reports the Democrat and Chronicle - but that doesn't mean the firm won't still cut jobs.  In the third quarter Xerox banked 17 cents a share after expenses, for a 48 percent increase over the previous years.  That's the good news - here's the bad:

During the quarter, Xerox spent $10 million on severance packages as it cut roughly 100 jobs in North America. And for 2010, Xerox anticipates spending about $400 million on such restructuring — $120 million more than it had previously estimated. The company did not say where it expects to do further cuts. Worldwide it employs more than 133,000.

Energy efficiency
new roof on DeWitt's town hall could cut the town's power bill.  The installation wrapped up last week, along with replacing light inefficient light fixtures.  The town is hoping for savings of at least $12,000 a year, from the $130,000 investment.  They're also looking to install solar panels.

Medicine for non-native English speakers
The Democrat and Chronicle has a piece about the need for medical interpreters in immigrant communities in the Rochester area.  Carlet Cleare, at Innovation Trail station WXXI did a report a few months ago about similar needs in the Burmese community.

Rebound in receipts
Sales tax receipts are up across the state, except in a dozen counties, reports the Press & Sun-Bulletin.  Receipts were up almost 8 percent this year, a sign that consumers are rebounding.

Wind power support
A poll conducted by WXXI, the Democrat and Chronicle, 13 WHAM and WDKX in Rochester found that a majority of voters are supportive of offshore wind.  Just over two-thirds of voters say they'd support the idea, despite concerns from people who live on the shoreline.
 
 
Want to comment on this story?  Visit our Facebook page.  Want Innovation Trail Mix delivered fresh daily?  Subscribe to the RSS feed.

Related Content