Manufactured Gas Plants
Former Selma Manufactured Gas Plant
As part of a voluntary program under the oversight of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), PG&E is working to remediate the site of a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) historically located at 2139 Sylvia Street in Selma. The site is now the location of PG&E’s Selma Service Center.
PG&E conducted an extensive investigation of residual MGP wastes at the site. Although the studies determined there are no current health risks, PG&E chose to clean up the site to allow for unrestricted future land use.
In 2011, DTSC approved the Remedial Action Workplan, which called for the excavation and offsite disposal of soil containing MGP residues. The cleanup began in January 2012 and was completed in August 2012. More than 29,000 tons (nearly 1,300 truckloads) of soil, asphalt and concrete were excavated from the site for recycling or landfill disposal. Excavated areas were backfilled with clean soil and a new asphalt parking lot was constructed. Additionally, a new permanent metal structure was built onsite to house service center equipment and the surrounding streets and perimeter sidewalks were partially repaved.
Measures to protect the community were used throughout the entire cleanup project, including: on-site and fence-line air monitoring, emissions and dust monitoring, noise and odor reduction measures, wetted soils to suppress dust, covered soil piles, daily cleaning of trucks before they left the site, and daily street sweeping.
PG&E kept the surrounding community well informed of site activities during all phases of the project through bilingual work notices, project updates and door-to-door outreach.
An MGP operated at this location from 1889 to 1930, first by the Selma Gas and Electric Company and later by the San Joaquin Power and Light Company. PG&E acquired the assets of the San Joaquin Power and Light Company in 1938, which included the former Selma MGP. Since 1962, PG&E has used this site as a service yard and customer service office.
PG&E’s Selma Service Center post-remediation
Additional Resources:
Site-related documents can also be found at:
Selma Branch Library, 2200 Selma Street, Selma (559-896-3393)
Contact Information
Environmental Remediation
Information and Response Line
1-866-247-0581
Important Health & Safety Information
There is no indication that PG&E's former MGP sites pose any health concerns to the public, based on our testing, experience, and extensive review of medical literature.
“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. © 2009 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved.
