WVDEP Approves Cleanup Method Submitted by Exxon Mobil Corporation For Huntington Site

 


Gas station operated on the property since the 1940’s


CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has approved a cleanup method submitted by Exxon Mobil Corporation to address environmental conditions through the Uniform Environmental Covenant Act (UECA) Program at Exxon One Stop #516 in Cabell County.

The site is located at 1413 Route 60 East in Huntington and includes approximately 0.586 acres. The site has operated as an active automotive service station since the late 1940’s. Environmental investigations at the site between 1998 and 2013 have documented that both groundwater and soil gas at the site were impacted by activities associated with the operation of a retail gasoline service station.

Chemicals of concern (COC) were determined by screening maximum concentrations in groundwater and soil gas against conservative benchmarks developed to be protective of human health for direct contact exposure, potential migration to groundwater, and potential migration to indoor air. Constituents exceeding the screening criteria were selected as COCs, and evaluated further in the risk assessment. COCs in groundwater included benzene, methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE), and naphthalene. COCs in soil gas included benzene and acrolein

A risk assessment concluded that exposure to COCs in groundwater and indoor air by the on-site and off-site receptors was within the acceptable risk and hazard targets promulgated in applicable regulatory guidance. However, the exposure to groundwater used as a potable water source was identified as an elevated risk that warrants a restriction which prohibits the extraction of groundwater for any use except groundwater monitoring and/or remediation. 

West Virginia’s UECA program encourages risk-based cleanups of contaminated sites, as well as redevelopment of abandoned and under-utilized properties, with an objective of counteracting the lack of development on sites with contamination or perceived contamination. The UECA Program identifies and addresses contamination from underground storage tanks at a given site, sets applicable remediation standards, and ensures that the standards are maintained at the site. By providing financial incentives to invest in brownfields, this approach protects communities and the environment while still promoting economic development in West Virginia.

Contact:

Jake Glance
(304) 926-0499 ext. 1335
Jacob.P.Glance@wv.gov