The Osage Power Plant site located at 1415 East Fountain Road in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The property consists of a coal-burning power generation building bordered by the Arkansas River on the east side. The nearest residence is located approximately ½ mile south of the site. The 28 acres site perimeter is fenced, however the site is not secure from tresspass. The site is accessible from gaps in the fence and the Arkansas River bank. Doors to the building are unlocked and all of the windows panes are gone or filled with bullet holes. There is evidence of trespass in the building: vandalism, campfires, beer cans and graffiti.
The Osage Power Plant built in 1919 generated power by coal-burning until 1986. The plant was originally owned by Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E). The site consists of a nine-story inactive power plant, a power substation, and a Quonset hut. The plant contains approximately 1,200 cubic yards of friable asbestos estimated during past investigations. Potential burn or burial pits were indicated as areas of stained soil to the west of the plant in historical aerial photographs. The power substation is owned and operated by Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E). The Quonset hut contained asbestos insulation according to prior investigations.
On June 20, 2006, the EPA Superfund Division Director signed an Action Memorandum to address hazardous substances from the inactive power plant in Ponca City, Oklahoma. There are significant quantities of friable asbestos torn and loose throughout the building. The EPA is conducting this work through an Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The USACE has validated cost proposals from asbestos abatement contractors and are planning to mobilize to the site on September 18, 2006.
