The Osage Power Plant (formerly Lincoln Beerbower Plant) site is located at 1415 East Fountain Road in Ponca City, Kay County, Oklahoma. The 28- acre property includes an abandoned nine-story, approximately 43,000 square feet, coal-burning power generation building. Several residences and businesses exist within 1 mile of the site. The nearest residence is located adjacent to the property, approximately 2 miles south of the plant. Businesses and residential and agricultural properties border the site on the north, west, and south sides.
There is approximately 9,790 linear feet of regulated asbestos containing material (RACM) on pipe ranging in size from 1” pipe to 24” pipe and 31,505 square feet of RACM (from 1” to 6” thick) in thermal system insulation on exhaust ducts, the main burner, aerator tank, heater #1, heater #2, and various other vessels. Additionally, there is approximately 23,200 square feet of RACM littered throughout the plant on the floor (some areas of this debris are as much as 5’ deep). Analysis of samples indicated >1% friable asbestos fibers. Amosite (10%), chrysotile (18% to 30%) and crocidolite (8%) were the asbestos fibers detected in the samples.
As of 8 December 2006 USACE contractors estimate that abatement activities are 20% complete. USACE contractors have completed the following activities: mobilization, setup, RACM removal around the building's exterior , clearing of vegetation around the perimeter of the building, construction of a building containment system for RACM, and passing of various Department of Labor Inspections prior to the start of abatement and debris removal activities.
On 6 October 2006, abatement and debris removal activities within the building began at the Osage Power Plant. Air samples have been collected daily to monitor potential levels of RACM in the following areas on site: personnel, exclusion zone, decon, negative pressure air machine outlet, and the waste load out area. All of the sample results were below the action level of 0.5 fibers/cubic centimeter. Any exceedance of this action level would trigger an upgrade in PPE and other precautionary measures.
As of 1 December 2006, USACE contractors have removed 2,890 of linear pipe with RACM, and 391 cubic yards of debris with RACM. All of the RACM is double bagged and contained in a lined roll-off box. A total of 320 cubic yards of piping and debris has been shipped to Allied Waste Stillwater Sanitary Landfill for disposal. The rest of the RACM is currently contained in roll-off boxes on-site.
During abatement activities, USACE contractors observed water in the basement of the main building, affecting working conditions. The water accumulation is due to natural water drainage within the area. The drainage has now been diverted to the condenser pit on-site. The standing water in the basement has also been transferred to this area. Once abatement activities have been completed, USACE contractors will sample the water and dispose of the water accordingly.
The removal action will address RACM in and immediately around the plant structure. RACM is any material that contains greater than 1% asbestos and is friable. RACM from pipes and vessels will be abated. RACM littered on the floor will be gathered and bagged for disposal. Generated hazardous wastes will be loaded onto trucks and transported to an appropriate offsite disposal facility.
Work will be performed inside a negative pressure enclosure (NPE). At least 6 air changes per hour shall be maintained in the NPE. The NPE shall be maintained from the start of removal until clearance air sampling requirements are met. Air movement shall be directed away from workers and toward a HEPA filtration machine.
By using fine mist equipment, the RACM will be kept wet enough to prevent fiber release until it can be placed in appropriate containers for disposal. Wetted RACM shall be removed in manageable sections by hand removal methods and placed in containers before moving to a new location. Surrounding areas shall be maintained in an adequately wet condition until visible RACM is properly containerized.
USACE contractors will continue abatement and debris removal activities for RACM. Contractors will also continue to conduct air monitoring and air sampling for RACM and particulates at the site (personal data rams). Once abatement and debris removal activities are completed, water sampling will be performed on the water inside the condenser pit. The water line on-site will be buried by 11 December 2006.
During the week of 22 November 2006, the main water line used for decontamination of workers and dust suppression within the building froze due to inclement weather. The freeze delayed work progress for approximately 1 week.
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