During the afternoon of October 15, 2007 an NRC report was made concerning a release of oil containing PCB's from a transformer and 3 regulators in a storage yard in Clinton, SC. The reason for the release appears to be vandalism in order to steal the copper contained inside the transformers. The approximate volume of oil released was approximated to be 1600 gallons and traveled past the site fence and into a drainage ditch where it migrated to a culvert. No oil was found past the outlet of the culvert. The concentration of PCB's in the oil was 223 ppm in the transformer and less than 50 ppm in each of the three voltage regulators. The area where the transformer was located was a former voltage substation.
OSC Crowley was dispatched in late afternoon of October 15. to provide oversight and technical assistance to the State and local responders.
During the afternoon of the 15th, members of the Clinton Public Works (CPW)department worked to dig up PCB contaminated soil. It should be said that all of the oil soaked into the ground and there was no visible pooling of oil anywhere along the flow path. Poly sheeting was placed on the ground and all dirt dug up was placed on this sheeting to prevent leaching of the PCB's from the dirt piles should a rain event occur. Crews continued this work until dark on the 15th. SC DHEC was also on scene during the afternoon of the 15th to check on progress on the spill.
On the morning of the 16th the OSC was met on site by members of the public works department. The crews continued the work of digging up contaminated soil and placing it on plastic sheeting. The total depth the crews dug to was approximately 6 inches where a clay layer was located and no visible contamination was observed.
The OSC spoke with DHEC and they assured him that they are happy with site conditions and progress and will maintain oversight. The OSC demobilized from the site on October 16th, 2007.
CPW has already been in contact with local disposal facilities and is lining up sampling of the contaminated soil for waste profiling. Once results of the sampling are returned, the soil will be disposed of. After this, the excavated areas will be capped with clean soil. The yard is no longer a active substation and the transformer and voltage regulators will be removed.
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