Hunters Point Power Plant Closure and Cleanup
Closure and Cleanup
PG&E’s cleanup plan for the former Hunters Point Power Plant was approved by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on June 10, 2010. Utilizing this plan, PG&E will clean up the former plant site to a residential standard. Following is an overview of the cleanup plan which focuses on three issues:
- Soil contaminated by the former plant operations
- Groundwater contaminated by plant operations, and
- Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) present in the fill material on which the site was built
More on closure and cleanup:
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Soil
Soil containing contaminants at levels above residential cleanup levels is being excavated. In each location, the excavation will continue until confirmation sampling shows that all contaminated soil has been removed.
After it is excavated, soil is sampled for analysis and held temporarily in containers or stockpiled at the Site. After the analysis, clean soil is re-used onsite. Contaminated soil is transported to an offsite permitted facility for safe disposal. Following soil removal, the excavated areas are backfilled with clean soil to restore the Site.
Groundwater
The proposed cleanup plan for groundwater involves mixing or injecting a chemical agent into the groundwater zone to destroy the contaminants over time. The groundwater will be monitored to ensure the plan is working.
In addition, further studies are being conducted as part of an Ecological Risk Assessment to determine whether additional measures are needed to protect the Bay. If such measures are needed, a separate plan will be prepared. As part of DTSC’s public participation process, the community will have an opportunity to review the plan and provide public comment.
Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA)
The power plant property, like much of the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, is comprised of serpentine rock from the local hillsides. Serpentine rock contains NOA. As part of DTSC’s process, PG&E studied a range of cleanup options that would meet the goal of a residential cleanup standard and safely address NOA.
Left undisturbed, NOA does not pose a hazard. Therefore, the cleanup plan is designed to minimize the disturbance of NOA. After the contaminated soil is hauled away, the plan calls for additional protective measures, including:
- Covering exposed areas with asphalt to prevent exposure to NOA between the times of the cleanup and the eventual redevelopment of the site
- Recording a deed restriction requiring that protective measures be taken in connection with any eventual redevelopment. For more information on how Naturally Occurring Asbestos will be managed during the cleanup, please see the Health and Safety page.
For a current project update please see the Community First newsletter (PDF, 3.9 MB)or the weekly Project Advisory Committee update.
