Groton Base Saving Itself?

I've been against the use of the "environmental cleanup costs" card for saving Subase New London (believing that they can make a better case using proposed future force structure numbers) but I think that they may have found something that could tip the BRAC commission into voting to retain the base. It appears that the State of Connecticut signed an agreement with the Federal government back in 1994 that would dramatically increase the potential decontamination costs; basically, it seems to say the government would have to restore the base to make it fit for residential areas, vice the lower "industrial" standard. Excerpt:

"The Navy has pledged $23.9 million toward making the base clean enough for industrial uses once it is closed. But Blumenthal said the 1994 agreement reached between the state, the Navy and Environmental Protection Agency requires the cleanup meet strict radiation standards that apply equally to industrial and residential areas. Many sites will be required to meet the residential standard for all contamination. And Blumenthal believes Connecticut has the ability to go to court and enforce that agreement. The U.S. Navy said it was reviewing the 1994 agreement and could not comment on Blumenthal's assertions."

Looks like someone in Connecticut's been doing their homework...