Perma-Fix Announces EPA Authorization for Non-Thermal Treatment of Radioactive PCB Wastes
ATLANTA, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: PESI) today announced the receipt of authorization by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 to commercially store and treat radioactive Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) through non-thermal treatment at the Company's subsidiary, Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc. (PFNWR) located in Richland, Washington.
This most recent authorization for non-thermal treatment of radioactive PCB wastes provides a western U.S. capability that is important for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Hanford Site. PFNWR is located adjacent to the DOE Hanford Site and currently treats a variety of mixed and radioactive waste streams for compliant disposal at the Hanford Site. DOE has entered into compliance agreements for special wastes such as radioactive PCBs with the EPA, the State of Washington and local stakeholder groups. This added capability will assist the DOE with meeting its agreement schedules.
Dr. Louis F. Centofanti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "This latest authorization expands the services that Perma-Fix offers our government and commercial clients by allowing us to offer non-thermal treatment options at our PFNWR facility. We provide these services while meeting the complex regulatory requirements in a safe and effective manner. We believe that this new authorization will allow for the treatment and disposal of large quantities of PCB-contaminated wastes that have been in storage for a number of years."
"This authorization comes on the heels of our recent approval for thermal destruction of radioactive and mixed (radioactive and hazardous) liquids and semi-solid wastes at our Diversified Scientific Services, Inc. (DSSI) facility located in Kingston, Tennessee. Prior to our receipt of this earlier authorization in April 2009, there were no authorized commercial facilities treating radioactive PCB wastes. We believe that this latest authorization will expand our capabilities and provides a local option for certain low-level radioactive wastes, including those originating at the Hanford site in Washington State. We also believe this authorization is quite timely given the DOE's planned closure of the TSCA Incinerator later this year, which had previously been the only authorized option to treat DOE generated radioactive PCB wastes."
About Perma-Fix Environmental Services
Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc., a national environmental services company, provides unique mixed waste and industrial waste management services. The company's increased focus on nuclear services includes radioactive and mixed waste treatment services for hospitals, research labs and institutions, federal agencies, including DOE, DOD, and nuclear utilities. The company's industrial services treat hazardous and non-hazardous waste for a variety of customers including, Fortune 500 companies, federal, state and local agencies and thousands of other clients. Nationwide, the company operates nine major waste treatment facilities.
This press release contains "forwardlooking statements" which are based largely on the Company's expectations and are subject to various business risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the company's control. Forwardlooking statements include, but are not limited to: that this authorization provides a western U.S. capability that is important for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Hanford Site; will assist the DOE with meeting its agreement schedules; will allow for the treatment and disposal of large quantities of PCB-contaminated wastes that have been in storage for a number of years; provides a local option for certain low-level radioactive wastes, including those originating at the Hanford site in Washington State; meeting the complex regulatory requirements in a safe and effective manner; and the DOE's planned closure of the TSCA incinerator later this year. These forwardlooking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While the company believes the expectations reflected in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance such expectations will prove to be correct. There are a variety of factors which could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those described in this release, including, without limitation, future economic conditions; industry conditions; competitive pressures; our ability to apply and market our technologies; that neither the federal government nor any other party to a subcontract involving the federal government terminates or renegotiates any material contract granted to us prior to expiration of the term of the contract, as such contracts are generally terminable or renegotiable on 30 day notice, at the government's option; or the government or such other party to a contract granted to us fails to abide by or comply with the contract or to deliver waste as anticipated under the contract; that Congress provides funding for the new remediation projects; and the additional factors referred to under "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" of our 2008 Form 10-K, and the Forward-Looking Statements discussed in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2009. The Company makes no commitment to disclose any revisions to forwardlooking statements, or any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that bear upon forwardlooking statements.
Please visit us on the World Wide Web at http://www.perma-fix.com.
Released July 14, 2009