HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-26 RMLD Power Contracts Rate Setting Green Power Committee MinutesReading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners R C "ENE
Power Contracts, Rate Setting, Green Power Committee W C L } {
October 26, 2009 R E A, k } ( N
Start Time: 7:30 pm
End Time: 9:32 pm~ 2
Attendees:
Commissioners: Ms. O'Neill, Mr. Hahn, and Mr. Soli
CAB Member: Mr. Vale
RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron, Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Parenteau, and Mr. Seldon
Cushing, Tammallo, and Wheeler
Richard Cushing
Public Attendees
Derel Walker, Linda Wilkins, Bill Wilkins, Steve Chapman, Ronnie Bartalini
Commissioner Hahn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Hahn said that the purpose of the meeting was to have a presentation on the Polychlorinated
Biphenyl (PCB) issue at the Gaw Substation and get an update on power supply from the General
Manager and Staff.
PCB Issue at the Gaw Substation
Mr. Cameron said that he had Mr. Richard Cushing, from Cushing, Jammallo, and Wheeler,
(CJW) the RMLD's licensed site professionals, is present tonight to make a presentation to the
Committee and interested customers. Mr. Sullivan said that the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (MADEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not
complete sentence.
Mr. Cushing started his presentation by saying that Poly Chlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) were
detected in the soil?dirt that was excavated in connection to the transformer replacement project,
which is ongoing at the Gaw Substation. The PCBs were discovered in late August prior to
removal of the excavated soil from the premises. There was approximately 700,000 cubic yards of
contaminated soil stored in the right of way as a result of the excavation. Mr. Cushing went on
to point out where the contaminated soil was located in the substation and explain what action
he and the RMLD have proposed to the what actions the RMLD plans in the future with respect
to this issue. CJW is developing a report to send to the EPA that includes what contamination
was found, the future sampling and removal includes, and the ongoing safety measures
necessary to continue work at the site.
Mr. Chapman asked a question concerning how the samples were taken. Mr. Cushing said that
some of the samples were composite and some were grab samples.
Ms. Wilkins asked is there was any way to tell if the residential properties abutting the substation
were contaminated as a result of what has been discovered. Mr. Cushing said that twenty-five
samples have been taken form the fence line where the substation abuts residential properties
and no traces of PCB contamination were found.
Discussion ensued.
The committee thanked Mr. Cushing for his presentation.