Hazardous Waste Cleanup: AEP Kanawha River Plant in Glasgow, West Virginia

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Cleanup Status

EPA, in coordination with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), performed a file review and a site visit on June 29, 1999 to identify possible releases to the environment. As a result of this review, four releases and the respective clean up activities were identified.

1. Transformer Oil Spill Area: In 1989, approximately five gallons of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated oil leaked from a power transformer. The leak was repaired to prevent any further release, the transformer surfaces were cleaned and the oil-contaminated soil in the area was excavated. Confirmatory soil samples were taken in the spill area to ensure all contamination was removed.
2. Asbestos Release: In 1992, one piece of Transite siding containing 25% asbestos blew off the conveyor belts used to transfer coal. The piece was immediately captured and disposed off-site in accordance with applicable regulations. Most of the original Transite siding on the conveyors still remains.
3. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Release No. 1: On March 3, 1995, a liquid SO2 storage tank released an estimated quantity of between 30 and 500 pounds of SO2 vapor to the Kanawha River Plant stack during a maintenance activity. While the quantity released was considerably less than authorized from this source during normal operation under the West Virginia Air Pollution Control Regulations, the facility reported to release under the Environmental Planning and Community Right-to-know Act.
4. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Release No. 2: On July 14, 1995, another air release of about 4.79 pounds of SO2 occurred due to a cracked piping weld leading to a gas duct. AEP permanently corrected this problem by modifying their existing practices. On-site storage of liquid SO2 for the flue gas conditioning system has been replaced with a solid sulfur burning system in August 1996. This eliminated the possibility of any further release of vapors from the volatilization of liquid SO2.

EPA has determined that no further action is necessary at this time under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action program. A forty-five (45) calendar day public comment period on the draft proposal that no corrective action will be required at this facility extended from November 24, 1999 to January 10, 2000 and no comments were received. Therefore, EPA issued a final Agency Determination.

EPA believes that AEP has adequately addressed these releases and there are no other areas that require investigation or remediation. Based on the review of all available resources and a thorough site inspection, EPA has determined that no further corrective action is required at this time.

AEP is requesting a variance from the West Virginia Groundwater Standard (WVGS) for metal contamination at discrete areas of the facility. The elevated levels are associated with combustion wastes stored on-site which are not under the authority of RCRA Corrective Action. The groundwater issue at this facility from the combustion wastes is being handled by WVDEP. A study has been prepared by AEP to demonstrate that there is no threat human and ecological receptors in the area and WVDEP has recommended the variance for approval by the State Legislature. Regular groundwater monitoring and WVDEP oversight will be required if the variance is accepted. EPA does not intend to pursue the issue at this time.

No further federal corrective action is required at this time.
 

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Site Description

Interactive Map of AEP Kanawha River Plant, Glasgow, West Virginia


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The AEP Kanawha River Plant is an active facility situated on a 134-acre parcel of land which is located in Glasgow, Kanawha County, West Virginia along U.S. Route 60. The facility is bounded by the Kanawha River to the south and U.S. Route 60 to the north. Private homes are located to the east and west of the facility. The facility has been owned and operated by American Electric Power since 1952. The Kanawha River Plant is used for the generation and transmission of electrical power by coal-fired steam units to communities in West Virginia and Virginia.

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Contaminants at this Facility

There are no documented releases at this facility causing a threat to human health and the environment.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional Controls were not required at the facility.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The facility is under continued use.

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Site Responsibility at this Facility

RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the EPA Region 3 with assistance from the  WV DEP.

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