Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2003-08-21, PCB Detoxification At Warren County Landfill Nears Completion

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Ernie Seneca Date: August 21, 2003 Phone: 919/733-5612 PCB DETOXIFICATION AT WARREN COUNTY LANDFILL NEARS COMPLETION RALEIGH - The landfill created in Warren County to house 60,000 tons of roadside soil contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dumped illegally in the late 1970s is nearly detoxified. Crews anticipate completing work by the end of September and being off site before year’s end. “The landfill’s detoxification is a watershed event for the many people who came together and worked diligently to identify and carry through a solution,” said Gov. Mike Easley, who has helped steer more than $6. 1 million to the project since taking office. “Once a significant environmental problem and eyesore, this property will soon be returned to beneficial public use,” Easley added. Options being discussed for the 142-acre tract include building a community park. In all, $16.2 million has been spent to detoxify or neutralize the contaminated soil. Funding came from a variety of sources, including appropriations from the General Assembly, a U.S. Department of Justice $570,000 settlement with Ward Transformer - the source of the PCBs, and transfers from environmental projects that were completed under budget. The landfill, located in the Shocco Township, was constructed in 1982 to contain PCB-contaminated soil from more than 210 miles of North Carolina roadsides. The contamination resulted from the illegal disposal of transformer oils containing PCBs. The roadsides were listed as an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site and the landfill was constructed to dispose of these soils. In 1998, the community chose base catalyzed decomposition as its decontamination method. The process uses heat to separate the PCBs from the soil, and the PCBs are then destroyed separately. The General Assembly appropriated $1 million for the project in 1999 and reserved an additional $7 million to be released if matching federal funds could be found. The EPA’s pledge of in-kind services satisfied that requirement, allowing the project to move forward. ### Governor's Press Office State Capitol. Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166