EPA has noted an extensive presence of oil in the groundwater beneath and around the power plants.
EPA already obtained permits from the Division of Environmental Quality, Coastal Resource Management and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System.
“The final permitting hurdle is regarding the National Historic Preservation Act, due to the historic significance of the facility location and the discovery of pre-historic artifacts in the immediate area of our work,” EPA told the federal court.
The work will consist of installation of oil recovery trenches, excavations of contaminated soil, and treatment of contaminated soil and water.
CUC said it has been extending support to EPA, including receiving containers at the port and coordinating with a shipping company.
For Power Plant 3, EPA rejected CUC’s cleanup proposal on May 27. CUC submitted another proposal on June 24.
For Power Plant 4, EPA has already conducted a polychlorinated biphenyl or PCB assessment.
EPA is still waiting for a plan for the continue assessment of oil contamination at Power Plant 4 which is run by Pacific Marine and Industrial Co.
CUC general counsel Deborah E. Fisher said PMIC is in the final stages of completing a plan for the Power Plant 4 tanks.
For the Rota power plant, EPA conducted a PCB assessment from Aug. 1 to 10.
“Samples are currently at the laboratory awaiting analysis, but sheen was found along the shoreline beside the facility and oil (likely diesel) was present in almost all of the soil borings and groundwater wells installed at the facility,” EPA said.
EPA told CUC that it should be preparing to conduct this work and must identify a funding source.
If CUC cannot perform immediate cleanup activities to address oil contamination, EPA said it may need to take action to protect U.S. waters.
CUC said it “is committed to preventing any further contamination, and has taken immediate action to address these issues.”
