EPA ACTIONS TARGET OXYCHEM, OLIN, TEXACO
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has moved forward with environmental enforcement actions against Occidental Chemical Corp., Olin Corp., and Texaco Inc.
EPA issued an administrative order under the federal Superfund program ordering OxyChem and Olin to remediate and clean up the 102nd Street landfill at Niagara Falls, N.Y.
EPA selected a $30 million remedy for the site in September 1990.
Meantime, EPA proposed a $77 000 civil penalty against Texaco Inc. for alleged polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) violations at its 48,000 b/d Bakersfield, Calif., refinery.
NIAGARA FALLS CLEANUP
EPA'$ remediation/cleanup plan for the 102nd Street landfill entails:
- Excavating and consolidating offsite and perimeter contaminated soils and the least contaminated soils for placement under a landfill cap.
- Constructing a slurry wall surrounding the site.
- Groundwater recovery and offsite treatment and offsite incineration of non-aqueous phase liquids.
- Lining the existing storm sewer.
- Dredging and offsite incineration of contaminated river sediments.
- Installing a chain link fence around the site to restrict public access.
- Deed restrictions regarding future use of the site.
The remedy is state approved and is based on studies OxyChem and Olin conducted under judicial decrees with the federal and state governments.
OXY, OLIN RESPONSE
OxyChem said it and Olin agreed with EPA's proposed remediation plan and tried to negotiate a consent agreement, but terms could not be worked out.
OxyChem said it is in the final stages of selecting a firm to conduct the remediation.
The 22.1 acre landfill was operated as a disposal site for industrial wastes during 1943-1970.
EPA estimates 159,000 tons of wastes including tetrachlorethylene, trichlorethylene, benzene, organic phosphates, and arsenic were disposed of at the site.
TEXACO REFINERY
EPA alleges fluids containing PCBs leaked from two electrical transformers at the refinery.
According to the complaint, an inspection in September 1990 revealed a spill covering 24 sq ft under one transformer and a 1 sq ft spill on concrete under a second transformer.
EPA said Texaco also failed to label stored PCB waste and failed to maintain proper administrative records.
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