All News Releases By Date

COOPERATIVE CLEANUP SUCCEEDS AT SAWYER PASSWAY SITE

Release Date: 07/24/1997
Contact Information: Erin Heskett, (617)918-1054

BOSTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently worked with the Unitil Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company to remove 180 cubic yards of asbestos-containing material that had become exposed from a fire last month at the company's property in downtown Fitchburg, Mass.

Following a fire June 5 that completely destroyed a three-story water cooling tower sheeted with concrete and asbestos siding, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection inspected and sampled the site, revealing that the fire debris contained up to 35 percent asbestos. MADEP requested the EPA to take immediate action to contain, remove, and dispose of the contaminated debris. Shortly thereafter, the EPA sent a crew to the site to begin wetting down and temporarily covering the asbestos.

As the current site operator at the time of the fire, Unitil-Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company was designated the party responsible party for the cleanup. Following lengthy discussion with the EPA on the scope of work, Unitil opted to perform part of the cleanup voluntarily, thereby eliminating the need for the EPA to issue an administrative order.

"This cleanup is prime example of industry working voluntarily with the EPA to clean up a potentially dangerous situation while not only saving money for themselves, but for the people of New England as well," said John P. DeVillars, administrator of the EPA's New England office. "Unitil deserves credit for stepping up to the plate to help us clean up the contamination safely and professionally."

In its decision to allow Unitil to perform part of the cleanup, the EPA considered a number of factors: the cleanup was small, well-defined in scope, and did not require great expense. Consequently, the cleanup process was streamlined and expedited while reducing legal burdens for both private industry and the EPA.

Throughout June and most of July, the EPA cleanup crew collected 180 cubic yards of asbestos, removing the larger pieces by hand. Unitil vacuumed the smallest debris from the remaining two acres of the contaminated area using a contained system, which carries the debris to sealed fiber drums. The asbestos was transported off site and disposed at a federally-approved facility.

"The dangers from asbestos exposure are well-documented, but a quick response prevented this site from becoming a major health threat," said DEP Commissioner David B. Struhs. "The cooperative effort from everyone involved in this cleanup was successful in minimizing any potential risks."

The site is located in an industrial area of downtown Fitchburg on Sawyer Passway Extension. A three-story water cooling tower formerly owned and operated by the Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company was situated behind an electric generating plant and directly adjacent to the Nashua River.

The parcel of land that includes the site was sold in 1983 to William R. Ware. Unitil-Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company continues to operate on the site as a power generator, operating and maintaining a turbine generator, a switch station, several transformers, and oil storage tanks.