Since 2022, E2PM has been providing ongoing environmental, natural resource and pre-construction support services for substations or transformer project locations throughout the State for one of New Jersey’s major electrical distribution companies.  

Several project locations across the state have included pad- or pole-mounted transformers and/or vehicle accident leaks or spills that have impacted nearby natural resources (streams, lakes, wetlands), stormwater collection systems, and residential or commercial properties.  

 

E2PM has been involved in several site-specific investigative and remedial tasks including delineations of impacts, concrete and soil characterization and summary reports, Health and Safety Plans, pre-construction support activities, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), Site Investigations and Remedial Investigation Reports (SI/RIR), Self-Implementing Plans (SIP) for PCB Remediation, Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) retention, Remediation Oversight and Remedial Action Reporting (RAR), LSRP emergency response for spills or leaks, Response Action Outcome (RAO) submittals, Monitoring Well Installation and Groundwater Sampling, Water Resource Area (WRA) Verifications, Wetland and Stream Delineations, Project Evaluation and Environmental Permitting Assessments, NJDEP / USACE Permit Plan Preparations and Submissions, Emergency Authorization Permits (EAP), Raptor Nest Surveys, Land Surveys and preparation of Construction Compliance Manuals. 

 

Example projects have included the following: 

  • Blairstown, NJ – During a storm, a utility pole with a Non-PCB transformer fell into a stream.  E2PM mobilized to the site within 24-hours of the emergency response team to assess the impacts and collect surface water and sediment samples within the stream.  Samples were collected at the source as well as downgradient, E2PM’s LSRP will close out the emergency spill with the NJDEP.
  • Red Bank, NJ – A pole-mounted transformer was damaged during a storm and fell to the ground and discharged twenty-one (21) gallons of dielectric transformer oil. The transformer oil discharged to the ground surface and was carried downgradient by stormwater runoff to a nearby tributary. E2PM collected soil, sediment and surface samples to determine if residual impacts remained after the emergency response and one (1) soil sample revealed Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH) above the Ecological Screening Criteria of 1,700 mg/kg. In addition, sheening was noted on the soil bank of the tributary.  Therefore, an EAP was required prior to conducting any intrusive work in the transition area / wetlands.   Upon EAP approval,  remediation activities commenced within the transition/wetlands areas.
  • Newton, NJ – Due to a motor vehicle accident, a utility pole with a mounted non-PCB transformer fell discharging mineral oil on the roadway and into nearby stormwater drains. E2PM mobilized same day with the emergency spill response team to determine the assess the impacted storm drains and storm water discharge location.  Upon arrival, the storm drains were boomed to prevent further oil from entering the drains.  E2PM noted that the water within the storm drain had a sheen and odors, however the water was below the outfall pipe and did not migrate to the stormwater discharge location.  E2PM was responsible for obtaining a road opening permit to conduct an environmental investigation to determine the area of impacts. E2PM’s LSRP will be preparing a Remedial Investigation and Remedial Action Report (RAR) following the investigation and additional remediation activities.