ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2009, REGION 1 SIGNED A PROPOSED CERCLA 122(h) SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE HOWE CLEANERS SUPERFUND SITE IN BARRE, VERMONT. THE AGREEMENT RESOLVES OUR CERCLA CLAIMS AGAINST SETTLING PARTIES, HOWE CLEANERS, INC. ( HOWE CLEANERS ) AND DAVID BENVENTUI WITH REGARD TO THE SITE. FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2003, EPA PERFORMED A FUND-LEAD REMOVAL ACTION AT THE SITE. HOWE CLEANERS, THE FORMER OWNER-OPERATOR OF THE SITE, AND MR VENVENTUI, FORMER PRESIDENT OF HOWE CLEANERS, HAVE NO ABILITY TO PAY. SETTLING PARTIES' SOLE AVAILABLE ASSET IS A COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY THAT PROVIDES COVERAGE TO HOWE CLEANERS AND ITS OFFICERS. THE ENTIRE SETTLEMENT AMOUNT OF $320,000 WILL BE PAID BY AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC. ( AIG ), HOWE CLEANERS'S INSURANCE CARRIER.