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Site Report: GVEA Healy Power Plant

Site Name: GVEA Healy Power Plant
Address: Mile 3.5 Healy Spur Road, Healy, AK 99743
File Number: 103.38.002
Hazard ID: 3228
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 63.854508
Longitude: -148.950666
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

RRO: Used Lube Oil (est. 375 gallons) spilled under 150,000 pound power plant from a broken supply line. Production well to deep aquifer (~200feet). 400 feet from river. See LUST Event ID 1277 for Facility ID 123 for regulated underground storage tank release. FKA 152.38.002

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
10/1/1999 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The ADEC received Healy Power Plant-Unit No.1 Diesel Emergency Generator Lube Oil Spill Clean-Up and Site Characterization Report Healy, Alaska submitted by Stephen R. Rog, C.P.G & Associates and dated October 1, 1999. On July 28, 1999 approximately 375 gallon of lube oil spilled from the diesel emergency generator (DEG) at the unit #1 coal fire power plant. The initial cleanup response, on July 28, 1999, included: hand excavation of contaminated soil; use of absorption pads; and the excavation of a small test pit, at the north east side of the DEG near the spill. During this initial response no significant lube oil accumulations were recovered or observed, but it appeared that the lube oil entered underneath the DEG building. On August 10, 1999, additional cleanup actions at the area of the spill included: collection of five soil samples, removal of 10 cubic yards of contaminated soil, and a well point installation. The well point was installed 5 feet below ground surface (bgs) for free product recovery via a vacuum truck. No free product was recovered, but the well point did contain less than 1 quart of sheen free pore water. During the well point installation 10 cubic yards of contaminated soils were removed along the north side of the DEG and blended into the coal feed for the unit No.1 power plant for energy recovery and thermal treatment. Soil samples collected from this area contained RRO ranging from 23,700 mg/kg, from below the crankcase drain valve at 1.5 feet bgs, and 254 mg/kg, from the sandstone bedrock at 3 feet bgs. After the samples were collected the area was covered with a polyethylene liner and capped with clean fill. Test pits were than excavated along the east and the south of the DEG building to evaluate the extent of contamination. The total depth of excavation for the four test pits, at 3.5 to 5 feet bgs was limited by sandstone bedrock, underground utilities west of the building, and the DEG retaining wall foundation to the north. The area of remaining contaminated soil is estimated to be 124-150 cubic yards. Groundwater was not encountered during the excavations. Grant Lidren
4/28/2000 Site Added to Database Waste Oil Spill estimated at 375 gallons. Bruce Wanstall
4/28/2000 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. On-site DW well not tested. Bruce Wanstall
7/24/2000 Site Ranked Using the AHRM On-site DW well tested clean of petroleum hydrocarbons. Stained surface soil remediated, removal area capped, damaged pipe protected from future contact with motor vehicles. Bruce Wanstall
11/10/2001 Update or Other Action File transferred to Fairbanks Office Bruce Wanstall
9/10/2004 Update or Other Action File transferred to Juneau Office. Bruce Wanstall
1/10/2005 Update or Other Action File transferred to Fairbanks Office. Bruce Wanstall
4/16/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking completed. (Copy from Healy Power Plant LUST file) Tamara Cardona-Marek
4/3/2009 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), Contaminated Sites Program, has completed review of the environmental records associated with the GVEA Healy Power Plant. Based on the information provided to date, the ADEC has determined that the contaminant concentrations remaining on site do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, and no further remedial action will be required as long as the site is in compliance with established institutional controls. Grant Lidren
4/3/2009 Institutional Control Record Established ADEC has determined there is no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, and this site will be granted a Corrective Action Complete – Institutional Controls Determination subject to the following:1-A Notice of Environmental Contamination will be recorded on the ADEC database to document that there is residual contamination remaining on site above the most stringent ADEC cleanup levels. 2-The soil contamination located under the buildings is currently inaccessible (see attachment B). When the building is removed and/or the soil becomes accessible, the contaminated soil will be excavated in accordance with an ADEC approved work plan. 3-Any proposal to dispose soil or groundwater off site requires ADEC approval in accordance with 18 AAC 78.600 (h). 4-Movement or use of potentially contaminated soil in a manner that results in a violation of 18 AAC 70 water quality standards is unlawful. 5-GVEA must report to the ADEC in accordance with the following stipulations: Because contaminated material remaining underneath the building could pose a risk to receptors, a review of site conditions and current land use, must be conducted and reported to ADEC once every 5 years or as soon as GVEA becomes aware of a change in the land use at the site. Land use changes include: change in ownership, movement of soil, or plans to install drinking water wells. Any such land use change may require the ADEC to reevaluate the potential threat to human health or the environment. The report must include a visual observation of the site and any information pertaining to changes in land use during the reporting period. The Report should be sent to ICUnit@alaska.gov. These reporting requirements and the institutional controls listed above will remain in place until the remaining contaminated soil is removed, or as determined by ADEC. Grant Lidren
6/13/2012 Update or Other Action Staff changed from Grant Lidren to IC Unit. Kristin Thompson
7/10/2012 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC review conducted. Evonne Reese
5/20/2014 Institutional Control Update An IC reminder letter was issued to the responsible party on this date. Kristin Thompson
6/17/2014 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting Received a letter from the landowner/power plant operator confirming that land use conditions have not changed at this site. DEC will verify this information again in five years' time. Evonne Reese
6/18/2019 Institutional Control Compliance Review An Institutional Controls reminder letter e-mailed to the responsible party on this date. Mossy Mead
6/26/2019 Institutional Control Update Responsible party sent a letter informing ADEC of change of drinking water well to a location even further from the site than the previous drinking water well. Mossy Mead

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
RRO > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil

Control Type

Type Details
Signed CS Determination

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
When Contaminated Soil is Accessible, Remediation Should Occur

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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