New York State Electric and Gas will begin a project to clean up contaminants at its substation on North Green Street in Auburn. The property is a former manufactured gas plant site.
New York State Electric and Gas will begin to clean up contaminants at a former manufactured gas plant site in Auburn, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
The former manufactured gas plant is located at North Green and Hulbert streets, where NYSEG has a substation. DEC said the foundation and lower walls of the former plant's gas holder are underground.
An investigation found arsenic in surface soils, as well as arsenic, volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds in subsurface soils. Cyanide was found in the groundwater at the site.
NYSEG's remedial work will begin in September and is expected to last two to three months, the DEC said. The project will include excavating 27 cubic yards of contaminated surface soil. The contaminated soil will be removed from the site and replaced with clean soil.
Contaminated groundwater will be treated by air sparging, which the DEC says involves injecting air into the groundwater.
Samples will be taken to ensure the groundwater and soil remediation is effective.
NYSEG has completed similar projects involving former manufactured gas plant sites in Auburn. The utility company cleaned up contamination at 211 Clark St. and 23 McMaster St., both of which were used as manufactured gas plants during the first half of the 20th century.
According to the DEC, the contaminants were created during the gas manufacturing process when coal tar was discharged to the subsurface. Coal or petroleum products were heated to produce a gas mixture, the department explained, and the gas would be distributed through pipelines to businesses and homes.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
New York State Electric and Gas will begin a project to clean up contaminants at its substation on North Green Street in Auburn. The property is a former manufactured gas plant site.
