Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation in Highland, New York
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
Based on the RCRA Facility Investigation an environmental site assessment was conducted in 2007. Starting in 2008, the RFI was conducted. The RFI investigated several Areas of Concern. The results of the RFI indicated that several AOC's did not require further action, and this was incorporated in the Part 373 Permit (RCRA Permit) issued in 2010. A draft Statement of Basis was submitted in February 2015. This Statement of Basis proposes excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated sediments from a wetland to unrestricted conditions as the remedy to address environmental contamination associated with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action at The Central Hudson Gas & Electric Elting’s Corners Facility in Highland, Ulster County. The elements of the remedy address PCB- and PAH-contaminated sediments in the wetland adjacent to the facility.
Site Description
This site is located about five miles west of the Hudson River in Town of Lloyd, New York, Ulster County. It has operated as a vehicle and equipment storage and repair facility for an electric power transmission company since the 1950's. Both current and historic site activities included: storage of electrical equipment, transformer storage and repair, vehicle maintenance and storage, and administrative offices.
These activities occur on the eastern portion of the facility. The western portion of the facility on the west side is undeveloped and includes wetlands and a dirt parking area for Central Hudson Gas & Electric (CHG&E).
The facility has operated a permitted hazardous waste storage area used primarily for PCB containing waste from electrical equipment.
Contaminants at this Facility
Main contaminants of concern were polychlorinated biphenyls, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The highest concentration of these contaminants were found in the sediment in the vicinity of the outfall. A supplemental RCRA Facility Investigation was conducted in this area and a report was submitted by CHG&E in January 2010.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
The facility currently has a 6 NYCRR Part 373 operating and post-closure permit issued by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
This RCRA permit was issued to CECOS with the effective date November 4, 2009 and the expiration date of November 2014. The RCRA permit for CECOS allows it to continue existing monitoring and maintenance of closed hazardous waste units, and to continue final corrective action remedies which address site-wide soil and groundwater contamination at the facility. The permit renewal addresses the continuing implementation of corrective action associated with past waste management activities such as:
- Post -closure maintenance of closed hazardous waste landfills;
- Continued implementation of the final corrective action remedies for site-wide contamination; and
- Perpetual care for closed hazardous waste landfills and corrective action systems.