Project Highlights

S&ME was retained to oversee the assessment and remediation of mineral oil releases at approximately 175 substations throughout Progress Energy’s Florida operations areas. The project began in 2002 when QORE (now S&ME) was selected by Progress Energy to conduct assessments and remedial actions at 12 substations in Florida and to prepare an assessment and remedial action plan, a waste management plan, and a substation inspection plan. Throughout the preparation of these plans, QORE worked closely with Progress Energy management, attorneys and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop plans that are both protective of the environment and cost-effective at addressing the mineral oil releases.

Upon approval of the plans, personnel from four S&ME offices initially inspected over 390 substations to document evidence of mineral oil releases, and the presence of sensitive environmental receptors in the vicinity of the each substation. The inspection data were entered in a Geographic Information System (GIS) database that was developed, in-part, by S&ME, and used to prioritize substation assessments and remedial activities based on the magnitude of the releases and potential impact to sensitive receptors. Of the over 390 substations inspected, approximately 175 require remedial activities to address mineral oil releases to the ground. It is expected that the remedial actions will take a minimum of five years to complete.

S&ME’s responsibilities during remedial actions have been to oversee all contractors, conduct soil screening to ensure cleanup to State of Florida Risk Based Corrective Action criteria, manage soil and other debris according to the approved Management plan, and ensure that the substation is restored to operational conditions.