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EPA Releases Addendum to Removal Action Plan for Cleanup at Ward Transformer Superfund Site in Raleigh, N.C.

Release Date: 08/24/2006
Contact Information: Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, [email protected]

(ATLANTA – August 24, 2006) EPA announces the availability of the Addendum to the Removal Action Plan (RAP) for the Ward Transformer Superfund Site in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Addendum to the RAP was prepared in response to questions and comments received by the Agency during the June 21, 2006 public meeting in Morrisville, N.C. The Addendum focuses on the details of the thermal desorption alternative, which includes both the direct and indirect-fired processes.

Thermal desorption uses heat to convert contaminants (i.e. PCBs) to a vapor that separates from the soil. The vapor containing the contaminants is collected and treated on-site, or transported to an off-site facility for treatment. The treated soil is then cooled-down and used as backfill on-site after testing to ensure that contaminants have been removed.

EPA has given the Potentially Responsible Parties the approval to solicit bids for the cleanup of PCB soil contamination at the Ward Transformer facility and some immediate surrounding areas. The bid is structured to evaluate both alternatives, off-site disposal of contaminants and on-site thermal desorption (direct and/or indirect) of contaminants. A selection will then be made of one or a combination of both alternatives to allow the cleanup to be conducted efficiently and in a cost effective manner.

After selection of the contractor, EPA will hold a public meeting to present the selected contractor and to explain the details of the cleanup to the community. EPA will conduct oversight of the Site cleanup activities.

The Ward Transformer Superfund Site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in April 2003. The Site is located near the Raleigh Durham International Airport in a predominantly industrial area of Raleigh. The Site includes, but is not limited to, a transformer manufacturing, repair, sales, and reconditioning facility constructed in 1964 on 11 acres of previously undeveloped land and certain adjacent properties. The major contaminants of concern are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

A copy of the RAP and the Addendum is available at the information repository for the Site located in the North Regional Library, 200 Horizon Drive, Raleigh, N.C.