Skip to content Skip to content

Site Report: NSB Wainwright Power Plant

Site Name: NSB Wainwright Power Plant
Address: 117 Summer Road, Wainwright, AK 99782
File Number: 360.38.010
Hazard ID: 26245
Status: Active
Staff: Andrea Carlson, 9074515174 andrea.carlson@alaska.gov
Latitude: 70.642875
Longitude: -160.020241
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

In August, 2013 an aboveground day tank at the North Slope Borough power plant was overfilled, releasing approximately 105 gallons of diesel to the ground surface. The fuel migrated beneath the elevated foundation of the power plant building. Samples following initial cleanup actions confirm the presence of diesel range and gasoline range organics above DEC Method 1 cleanup levels. This site also includes an additional release that occurred on 2/7/16 when 240 gallons of ultra low sulfur diesel were released during a fuel transfer to the boiler day tank. The release occurred in the same location as the 2013 spill.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/1/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other August 2013 workplan submitted by S&W on behalf of NSB and approved via email by PERP. Keather McLoone
12/27/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Date on document submitted by S&W on behalf of NSB entitled Report on Power Plant Fuel-Release Confirmation Sampling. Area excavated was reported to have been about 35 by 80 feet and irregular in shape. The soil was excavated to a "blue board" foam insulation under the power plant at a depth of two to three feet. Report includes some discussion about areas where the blue board was removed and the presence of some geotextile fabric. Soil sample results reported were up to 255 mg/kg GRO and up to 3,470 mg/kg DRO. Results were compared to Method One. Sampling also seems to have been limited by frozen conditions and there are no soil descriptions to help determine if Method One is most appropriate for DRO. Keather McLoone
6/25/2014 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
6/25/2014 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill number 13399923503; spill date = 8/23/13; substance = diesel; quantity = ~105 gallons; source = overfill of above ground day tank. Mitzi Read
6/25/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79641 name: ~105-Gal Diesel - Aboveground Day Tank Overfill Mitzi Read
7/2/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Keather McLoone
11/4/2014 Update or Other Action Information from NSB Spill Response Coordinator indicates contaminated material excavated from the Power Plant site in Wainwright is contained in supersacks and fish totes and is still staged at the site and an estimated 5 cubic yards of contaminated material remaining, possibly to be excavated once the building is removed. Keather McLoone
4/6/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Date of Wainwright Power Plant, Draft Site Characterization Work Plan. This effort will include advancing three soil borings at the end of April, collecting two soil samples from each boring to be analyzed for GRO/DRO/RRO/VOCs and 10 percent PAHs, and completing each boring as a monitoring well. Later in the season, the wells will be sampled and analyzed for GRO/DRO/RRO/VOCs/PAHs. Keather McLoone
4/16/2015 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Date of receipt of Wainwright Power Plant, Draft Site Characterization Work Plan - Final. ADEC approved the April 6, 2015 version without comment in a letter dated April 7, 2015. Keather McLoone
4/20/2016 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PPR staff Jessica Starsman. Spill no. 16399903801; spill date = 2/7/16; substance = ultra low sulfur diesel; quantity = 240 gallons; PPR file no. 360.02.010; description = release occurred during fuel transfer to boiler day tank and was in the same location as previous spill no. 13399923503. Mitzi Read
4/21/2016 Update or Other Action Source area ID 79641 renamed to include additional release that occurred on 2/7/16 in the same location as the 2013 release. Mitzi Read
4/28/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Site Characterization Report – Draft, dated April 2016. SUMMARY: Three soil borings that were completed as monitoring wells (MW-01 through MW-03) were advanced in April of 2015 around the perimeter of the power plant building to delineate a spill that occurred in 2013; soil and water samples were collected as appropriate. None of the soil samples collected from the borings exhibited contaminant concentrations that exceeded the Method One or Method Two soil cleanup levels; however, soil samples were not collected from the non-porous native material in Soil Boring SB-03, which was converted to MW-03. The only water sample that exhibited contaminant concentrations above the Table C groundwater cleanup levels was collected from MW-03. Well MW-03 exhibited concentrations of 637 mg/L diesel range organics (DRO) and 753 mg/L residual range organics (RRO). Additionally, total aromatic hydrocarbons (TAH) and total aqueous hydrocarbons (TAqH) were detected in the sample collected from MW-03 at 0.01546 mg/L and 0.016026 mg/L, respectively, which does not meet the meet the Alaska Water Quality Standards (AWQS) of 0.010 and 0.015. Joshua Barsis
4/28/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel Release Draft Limited Site Characterization Report, dated April 2016. SUMMARY: This report was generated in response to a release of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) at this site. Roughly 240 gallons of ULSD leaked from the building’s piping and seeped into the pad outside and beneath the power plant building. The release occurred in the same location as the 2013 release, which to date has not been backfilled. Initial response efforts included removal of impacted snow from within the ULSD release and treatment of the impacted meltwater using granular activated carbon (GAC). Confirmation soil samples were collected from the surface soil surrounding the 2013 excavation, as well as from the gravel pad material at the base of the 2013 excavation. Concentrations of gasoline range organics (GRO) and DRO remain at the base of the 2013 excavation up to 520 mg/kg and 13,600 mg/kg, respectively, both of which exceed the Method One Table A2 soil cleanup levels. Joshua Barsis
4/28/2016 Update or Other Action Responded via letter to two reports; the Site Characterization Report – Draft and the Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel Release Draft Limited Site Characterization Report. DEC requested a work plan by June 1, 2016 for further evaluation/delineation at this site. Joshua Barsis
6/14/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Site Characterization Work Plan Addendum, dated May 19, 2016 for the NSB Wainwright Power Plant site. Activities proposed in the work plan include resampling the three onsite groundwater monitoring wells; sampling of three surface water locations as close to the power plant as possible; backfilling the excavation beneath the power plan building with clean fill; and providing additional information from a separate site investigation conducted in parking area surrounding two sides of the power plant building to show these areas were adequately characterized. Joshua Barsis
7/21/2016 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Date of Spill (#16399920301): 40 gallons release from the power plant day tank. The fuel migrated below the power plant building. At the time of the release, there was an open excavation below the Power Plant building from the last 240 gallon release. Therefore fuel migrated preferentially to the existing excavation and impacted the tundra below the building. Joshua Barsis
1/17/2017 Update or Other Action Letter sent to NSB on this day detailing the current status/progress of 22 active contaminated sites, including this site. Joshua Barsis
6/19/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the NSB Wainwright Power Plant Site Characterization Report Addendum, dated April 3, 2017. Activities completed in 2016 generally consisted of resampling the three onsite groundwater monitoring wells, sampling three surface water locations, and collecting soil samples from two additional soil borings advanced south and east of the release area. Results generally support additional characterization and pad-porewater monitoring in the future. Revised report and work plan for 2017 season requested by July 19, 2017. Joshua Barsis
11/20/2017 Update or Other Action Letter sent on this day as a follow up to the last version of this letter, dated January 17, 2017, and as a follow up to a meeting with NSB on November 17, 2017. This letter details the current status/progress of 23 active contaminated sites, including this site. Joshua Barsis
11/16/2018 Update or Other Action Letter sent on this day as a follow up to the last version of this letter, dated November 20, 2017, and at the request of the North Slope Borough (NSB). This letter details the current progress of 24 active contaminated sites, including this site. Joshua Barsis
4/3/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Wainwright Power Plant ADEC File Number 360.38.010 Supplemental Site Characterization Work Plan, dated March 25, 2019. Proposed activities described in the work plan include: (1) advancing four soil borings, of which up to 2 analytical soil samples are planned from each boring; (2) completion of all four soil borings as monitoring wells, and develop and sample each well as applicable; (3) collection of additional water samples from 5 existing wells onsite; (4) evaluation of surface water using a “stick test” and “jar shake test”; and (5) collection of 3 surface water samples for laboratory analysis. Joshua Barsis
6/28/2019 Update or Other Action Site location was updated on this date. Coordinates for this site are used to determine the presence and position of the site on BLM’s ANCSA Conveyed Land web map. Rebekah Reams
2/19/2020 Enforcement Action Notice of Violation issued to NSB on February 18, 2020. See file for more information. Joshua Barsis
5/11/2020 Update or Other Action During 2019 soil was sampled around the existing public works building in preparation for demolition of the building in summer 2020. Soil was found above ADEC cleanup level in surface soil in a number of locations. The contamination is attributed to numerous small leaks and release. At present, the releases at the public works building are being regulated as part of the power plant site. However, if they are not comingled with the plume from the power plant, this site could be separated into a new site of its own. After the 2020 excavated, we should be able to determine if there are two separate areas of contamination on the property or if they are comingled. Erin Gleason
5/11/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC reviewed the April 2020, best management plan for the North Slope Borough Wainwright Landfarm. ADEC approves of landfarming as a treatment for the soil at this site and request that a sampling and analysis plan be submitted for review and approval. Electronic letter sent to NSB on this date. Erin Gleason
7/23/2020 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Sampling and Analysis Plan approved in support of construction activities planned. The Vehicle Maintenance Shop was demolished and a new Department of Municipal Services building will be constructed. The area below the building will be sampled for DRO, RRO, GRO, and Petro VOC. Erin Gleason
5/13/2021 Site Characterization Report Approved The department received the final Remedial Action Report for the Municipal Services Building Wainwright (former Vehicle Maintenance Shop)on May 13, 2021. The sampling and soil removal was done to support construction of the new Municipal Services Building. Soil removed during the excavation was landfarmed on an Olgoonik Property (formerly known as the biocell) near the Wainwright landfill. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
7/12/2021 Site Characterization Report Approved A revised Landfarm Status Report was submitted. The report documented set up and baseline sampling of the landfarm in August 2020 and placement of 1,855 cubic yards of material. Baseline sampling was done using ISM methods and two decision units. Soil was analyzed for DRO, RRO, and VOC. Baseline soil samples indicated that all analytes except naphthalene were well below respective cleanup levels. Naphthalene up to 0.0544 mg/kg (exceeding most stringent Method 2 Table B1 cleanup levels) was detected in all of the DU1 samples. Naphthalene was detected in the DU2 sample but did not exceed the most stringent cleanup level. Contaminated material was spread up to 1.2 feet deep. Soil was tilled for one month and then monitoring was conducted in September 2020 using ISM sampling with one sample collected from the same two decision units. Progress samples were analzyed for DRO, RRO, and VOC. Samples collected from each decision unit exceeded the Method 1 Table A2 and most stringent of Method 2 Table B2 cleanup level for DRO. Naphthalene, ethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene exceeded the most stringent migration to groundwater cleanup level but not the human health cleanup levels. Temporary fencing and signs were placed at the land farm in 2021 prohibiting access. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
7/15/2021 Site Characterization Workplan Approved On July 13th, while working on the new public works building, Olgoonik encountered contamination on the north side of the property near the former drum laydown area (approx.70°38'34"N, 160° 1'10"W). NSB reported to the department. A meeting with ADEC, NSB CIPM, Olgoonik, and SLR was held on July 14th. A work plan was submitted and approved on July 15th. The work plan included additional areas of characterization in the project footprint to be used to determine how to manage soil in the area of construction. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
6/29/2022 Enforcement Agreement or Order A compliance order by consent (COBC) was signed by the North Slope Borough and ADEC Division of SPAR. The COBC identifies corrective actions that the NSB will take to manage cleanup waste and characterize and remediate contaminated sites and spills. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
7/11/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Draft 2021 Site Assessment and Contaminated Soil Removal Action for the newly discovered contamination east of the power plant. The work was conducted by Olgoonik in support of construction of the Public Works Shop on the property and was an extension of site work previously conducted in support of the project. Eight test pits were advanced to permafrost ranging from 3.5 to 6.7 feet bgs. Suprapermafrost water was observed in some of the test pits. Observations of sheen were noted at TP2, TP4, TP7, and TP8. Soil sample results from the test pits did not exceed cleanup levels. On the northeast side of the new pad, a sample collected from the excavation sidewall at 1.5 ft deep in native soil, exceeded DRO cleanup levels. Approximately 8 cubic yards were removed for disposal. Five confirmation samples were removed from the final excavation. One floor sample, collected at from a peaty layer at 3.2 feet bgs, exceeded Method 1 cleanup levels for DRO and RRO. All other confirmation samples were collected from silt and DRO and RRO were detected but below applicable cleanup levels. Silica gel cleanup reduced the concentrations in the peaty floor sample to below the applicable cleanup levels. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
3/3/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other A draft Landfarm Status Report was submitted November 2022. The report documented tilling and progress sampling of the landfarm in 2021 and 2022 and requested approval to dispose of the 1,855 cubic yards soil at the Class III landfill. Soil was tilled in 2021 18 times and 15 times in 2022. Progress monitoring was conducted in September 2021 and August 2022 using ISM sampling with one sample collected from the same two decision units. Progress samples were analyzed for DRO and RRO. In 2021, samples collected from DU1 and DU2 exceeded the Method 1 Table A2 and most stringent of Method 2 Table B2 cleanup level for DRO. In 2022, samples collected from DU1 and DU2 were below the Method 1 Table 1A cleanup levels for DRO and RRO. Samples were not analyzed for GRO or VOC in 2021 or 2022 because in 2020 GRO was below the Method 1 Table A2 cleanup level. 2020 sample results for several VOC exceeded the most stringent Method 2 Table B1 cleanup levels and results from the 2021 and 2022 samples exceeded the Method 2 Table B2 most stringent cleanup levels. Approval to dispose at the landfill will not be given until DEC Solid Waste concurs. Comments were sent requesting revision of the report. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
9/12/2023 Site Visit DEC SPAR personnel (L. Krebs-Barsis, S. Joyce) conducted a site visit with North Slope Borough (C. Trapp) for the Compliance Order by Consent. Both the power plant, tank containment, and associated Olgoonik landfarm were visited. Lisa Krebs-Barsis

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

There are no documents for this site report.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

Because the GIS location data for this site has not been entered, we cannot direct you to its position on the map. Click "Continue" to proceed to the Contaminated Sites Web Map or "Close" to return to the site report.
Continue     Close