1.1.1 Incident Category

CERCLA Incident Category: Inactive Production Facility

1.1.2 Site Description

The site is a former biodiesel production facility that was abandoned in June, 2014. It is owned by Odessa Public Development Authority (ODPA) and was leased to Transmessis Columbia Plateau, Inc for their biodiesel production operations. The building is in an industrial area, but is located in the town of Odessa, and commercial and residential areas are nearby (<1000ft). Crab Creek is located to the south and west of the site. The interior of the building contains several large process tanks and chemical totes. Several tanks and totes are leaking and in poor condition. Several incompatibles are also stored together.

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is located at 206 W Railroad Street, Odessa WA (47.334154, -118.695334). The site encompasses approximately 4 acres and consists of a large facility building and exterior tanks.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

There are several chemicals on site that were initially involved in various processes of biodiesel production.  Known chemicals at this time are (methanol, sodium methylate, glycerin, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide.  There are large quantities of methanol (35,000 gal), sodium methylate (1000 gal) and glycerin (4,000 gal) in large tanks. Totes of sulfuric acid were found leaking and releasing to the floor of the facility.  Valves on storage tanks appear to be corroding and have crystals forming.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

On March 3, 2015.  Jerry French, with the Department of Ecology, conducted a visual inspection of the exterior of the property.  Due to his findings, he requested EPA assistance in touring the facility.  Mr. French performed an inspection of the interior of the building on March 10, 2015.  EPA , START and ERRS assessed the facility on March 12, 2015.  The combined assessments found ~1000 chemical containers ranging from large Above-ground Storage Tanks (AST) to totes and buckets in various states of integrity.  It was determined that EPA, START and ERRS would mobilize on 3/17/2015 to stabilize and mitigate the hazards at the site.

2.1.1 Narrative

EPA, START and ERRS arrived on site 3/17/2015 to receive the keys to the facility and began setting up for work operations.  ERRS has contracted with Stericycle for disposal of the chemicals.

ERRS completed opening tanks and assessing the contents.  START provided sampling and HazCat support to assist in disposal characterization.  Stericycle Lab Packed loose chemicals found in the lab and around the facility.  Product samples were taken to support enforcement activities by START.

To date, 4 trucks have left the site with chemicals/wastes.  Tanks and totes are continuing to be bulked and staged.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

03/17/15

Mobilization of EPA, START & ERRS to site for planning and preparation for site activities.

03/18/15

ERRS began removal of lab pack chemicals and assessment of large tanks for quantity/contents. START performed Hazard Categorization analysis on unknown wastes. START began developing a site specific sampling plan to collect samples that will be sent to the laboratory for analysis.

03/19/25

ERRS bulks and stages waste streams by profile.  ERRS continues to assist START in accessing tanks for sampling. START continues to inventory and perform hazard categorization on samples to assist in disposal.
Seventeen samples are collected to be sent to the laboratory for analysis.  

03/20/15

START continues to inventory and perform hazard categorization on samples to assist in disposal. ERRS continues to bulk and stage wastes and prepare the site for future activities. A truckload containing 88 drums of waste resin from the ion exchange columns are transported off site to the Burlington Environmental Facility in Kent, WA.

03/21/15

START continues to inventory and perform hazard categorization on samples to assist in disposal.  The majority of hazard categorization support concludes. ERRS selectively drains tanks and bulks like wastes. Glycerine is transported off site to a Whole Energy facility in Mt. Vernon, WA via tanker truck.

03/22/15

START continues to inventory containers and document site conditions. ERRS assists in pumping waste into two disposal trucks that arrived on site.  Vegetable waste oil is pulled from the totes.  Biodiesel waste is pulled from bottoms of the biodiesel tanks. The two Stericycle tanker trucks containing waste from site depart to a Burlington Environmental Facility in Tacoma, WA.  Solid waste remaining in several totes is solidified and staged.  The totes are crushed and placed in a rolloff container.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

TransMessis Columbia Plateau, LLC is the potentially responsible party. CID has requested that EPA collect  several split samples and send to NEIC Lab in Denver, CO.  Seventeen samples were collected on 3/19/15 for CID.  A CID representative was on site on 3/19/15 and 3/20/15.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

ERRS has lab packed loose chemicals and overpacked several drums of solid waste.  Chemicals are being bulked based on hazard categorization results and compatibility.  Chemicals are being segregated into waste streams and staged to be removed as trucks are available.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Chemicals will continue to be processed and segregated into waste streams for disposal. Tanks will be emptied, but not rinsed, nor will lines be drained/rinsed.  HazCat operations will continue to support the segregation and disposal of waste streams.  The last waste is expected to leave site on Wednesday.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

More trucks are expected Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to support transportation of waste off site.  START will ship collected samples to laboratory in Denver, CO, on Monday morning.  START will coordinate with the laboratory to ensure samples are shipped in accordance with protocols.

2.2.2 Issues

http://www.epaosc.org/odessadiesel