DEP-EPA interagency memo on HVAC remediation plan, December 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Avaltroni, Robert From: Avaltroni, Robert Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 2:17 PM To: '[email protected]' Subject: RE: Cancellation Policy and Edelman draft

Kathy,

I am sending this e-mail in response to the issues you raised in your recent e-mail. I disagree with your statements we don’t have a “firm plan” and “confusion exists among agencies.” Based on our 11/26/02 meeting, we have collectively implemented a plan that our staffs have been following. I hope this e-mail alleviates any confusion that might exist. Issue 1: 125 Cedar Street - Minor wording can be easily addressed. We concur. No confusion here. Issue 2: Retroactive cancellation policy - As stated in my earlier e-mail, I am not sharing FEMA’s concern, but relenting to the residents’ choice. Issue 3: Lack of plan to address HVACS - On November 26, 2002, DEP and EPA met to finalize the thoughts developed collectively to address issues related to HVACs (please refer to 11/26/02 meeting notes compiled by your staff). To date, we have not deviated from the plan as outlined. In fact, by following the collective plan, we have been able to schedule contractors to estimate the cleaning cost for HVAC/exhaust systems identified as needing some form of clean up. Additionally, our staffs have been working very hard at trying to decipher the information on hand to identify building requests for HVAC inspections/cleaning. Issue 4: Quad D inactivity As noted above, by following the plan, EPA/DEP has been able to schedule a cleaning contractor to estimate the cleaning cost for a subset of buildings whose reports have indicated some cleaning necessary of HVAC/exhaust systems. Last Friday, 12/6, the Quad D contractor brought to our attention that apartments that could be cleaned (not needing HVAC/exhaust vents cleaned) were released by your office for cleaning after DEP brought the contractor’s concerns to your office. Also, we collectively agreed prior to the 11/26/02 meeting to proceed with HVAC inspections in other Quads from the outside perimeter in. Subsequently, staff spoke in reference to speeding up the apartment cleanup activities, which would allow buildings deemed clean, to proceed without the detailed HVAC report/checklist. (Needless to say, the full checklist/report would follow.) One concern that we still have is with the Quad B monitoring contractor’s performance to date. It is our understanding that the Quad B coordinator will be meeting with said contractor to address our concerns. Based on all of the above, it is our belief that our collective implementation plan will allow the program to conclude by March 1, 2002. I certainly don't feel we need to meet with Chris and Jane. EPA/DEP staffs have worked very hard in a responsible manner to bring us to the point of achieving our objectives. Let's continue to provide the direction with one voice to avoid any mishaps at this late stage. As discussed, Krish, Ray and Eric have been working in harmony to move things along. Let’s encourage them to continue this approach enabling us to tap into their source of knowledge and expertise. I hope our communications can remain less formal. Regards, Bob

—Original Message—- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 10:13 AM To: Avaltroni, Robert Subject: Re: Cancellation Policy and Edelman draft

bob, we spoke after i had sent my message, and i did check with ray basso, he and krish spent time today going over the information on HVACs we had sent, both copies of reports from Quad D and a spreadsheet with "whole building information" which should be useful in making assessment and projections, but ray was not aware of a particular proposal from krish, so i have asked him to check with krish first thing today.

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