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.
Air samples continue to be 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 for the personnel and exclusion zone were below the action level of 0.5 fibers/cubic centimeter. All of the sample results for the decon, negative pressure air machine outlet, and waste load out area were below the action level of 0.1 fibers/cubic centimeter. Any exceedance of this action level would trigger an upgrade in PPE and other precautionary measures including dust suppression.
To date, 8,065 linear feet of asbestos containing material (ACM) on pipe and 7,705 square feet of ACM on surfaces (vessels, equipment, etc.) has been abated. Additionally, 23,793 square feet of ground debris including ACM has been collected and bagged. To date, approximately 1,470 yd3 of ACM has been bagged and shipped for disposal. This project is approximately 99% complete. All of the RACM is double bagged and contained in a lined roll-off box. A total of 1180 cubic yards of piping, debris, and insulation 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 a recon along a 75 foot perimeter around the facility, ACE contractors identified an area on the north side of the facility containing debris. ACE contractors reported that the debris was visibly similar to the RACM debris found within the building. ACE contractors estimated the area to contain 500 cubic yards of debris. The debris pile begins approximately 60 feet from the north side of the building and extends to 110 feet north of the building.
During oversite of RACM removal inside the basement of the building, ACE contractors identified 12-24 manometers which potentially contain mercury. ACE contractors stated that no manometers visibly looked compromised and that no visible mercury could be identified. EPA will mobilize when the temperature at the site is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit to monitor for mercury vapors inside the basement.
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.
All indoor asbestos 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).
An estimated 120 cubic yards of ACM, discovered partially buried in northern slope outside of the building, will be excavated for disposal this week. Contractors also continue an investigation for mercury throughout the building.
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