Environment DEC
From the August 2007 issue
Exxon-Mobil Resumes Cleanup at Greenpoint
The restarted remediation system is greatly reducing oil seepage into Newtown Creek
At the direction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Exxon-Mobil recently restarted its oil recovery and groundwater remediation system at a massive oil spill site in the Greenpoint community of Brooklyn. Restarting the recovery system is an important step in removing oil contamination from the impacted area as DEC seeks to move forward on the cleanup.
Lawsuit Results in System Shutoff
As part of a cleanup agreement signed in 1990, Exxon-Mobil operated a system designed to remove and treat petroleum from below ground in the vicinity of former oil terminals along Newtown Creek. The system separated petroleum and other constituents from the groundwater and discharged treated water into the creek. But this past February, after DEC notified Exxon-Mobil of the state's intent to sue for violations of the federal Clean Water Act and other laws, Exxon-Mobil responded by shutting off the groundwater pumps of their remediation system. Instead of continuing to pump and treat the underground petroleum, they set up a passive recovery system with less than eight percent of the previous treatment capacity. Prior to shutting off their systems, Exxon-Mobil was recovering 1,110 gallons per day. After shutting down the treatment systems, Exxon-Mobil recovered only 87 gallons per day. This has resulted in increased oil migrating into Newtown Creek.
DEC viewed the shutoff as a deliberate violation of state laws and a substantial failure by Exxon-Mobil to accept responsibility for prior contamination. Accordingly, DEC directed Exxon-Mobil to apply for a new State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit. The company has submitted a permit application and DEC is currently reviewing it. The permit will contain more stringent limitations on the discharge to the creek, and increase Exxon-Mobil's monitoring requirements. The proposed permit will be subject to public review prior to any decision being made by DEC.
Stricter Discharge Limits Accompany Restart
While the SPDES permit is pending, DEC has provided temporary authorization to Exxon-Mobil to operate their treatment system under DEC oversight with stricter discharge limitations, requiring an evaluation of interim technical measures that further limit contaminant discharges, and increasing reporting requirements. Exxon-Mobil has agreed and will start up the system based on the more stringent requirements.
