BACKGROUND
The 8-acre Caribou Power Plant site (the site) was used for power
generation since the late 1800s, starting with the construction of the Caribou
dam and former hydroelectric plant in 1889, followed by the construction of the
diesel plant in 1949. The site operated through the early 2000s. The Site
currently consists of the steam and diesel plants, several outbuildings, with
vacant parcels to the north and south. The former Steam and Diesel Plants are
equipped with multiple intake and discharge pipes that used the adjacent
Aroostook River for the intake of process water (steam generation, diesel
engine cooling) and for the discharge of facility drainage.
The power plant is located near mixed commercial and
residential areas located to the north and west of the property. A public boat
launch area is located to the north and south of the property. The Aroostook
River is located to the East.
UPCOMING WORK TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE STEAM PLANT
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP)
asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Removal program to conduct
a site investigation. EPA collected samples from asbestos-containing materials
(ACM) in November 2022 at both the Steam and Diesel plants. Samples confirmed
the presence of ACM and EPA determined that a removal action, or a short-term cleanup,
should be conducted to remove damaged and exposed ACM at risk of release to the
public and the environment. Other hazardous materials found include potential
mercury- containing fixtures and components (switches, controls), lead
batteries, laboratory and boiler treatment chemicals, and retail-sized
containers of paints, solvents, and other flammables.
In mid-June 2024, EPA will begin staging the needed
equipment to clean up the Steam Plant. (EPA Brownfields funding will be used to
clean up the Diesel Plant). Activities will include carefully removing and
disposing of damaged and exposed ACM and other hazardous materials. ACM which
is not damaged or exposed will not be removed from the Steam Plant, as
undamaged asbestos poses little risk and will be contained within the building.
EPA will repair parts of the Steam Plant roof that is leaking to stop rain and
snow from entering and damaging intact asbestos insulation not removed during
the EPA Removal program cleanup.
During cleanup activities, EPA will conduct continual air
monitoring along the site perimeter and dust control activities as necessary to
prevent any hazardous materials from moving into nearby residential areas and
the Aroostook River. Fencing will be erected at the property to prevent
trespassing into the Steam Plant and will be placed to ensure continued access
to the boat launch area, which will remain open to the public during the
cleanup. The primary access road to the public boat launch will be fenced off as part of the site containment, however, a detour utilizing the adjacent dirt road will be available and signage will be posted with the updated route. Activities to remove damaged asbestos and other hazardous materials will
be conducted within the building, eliminating the risk to the public accessing
the boat launch area. Oil containment boom may be placed in the river out of an abundance of precaution in the area of the outfalls from the power plant.
EPA will work with the Town to provide cleanup status
updates throughout the summer and fall. Clean up of the Steam Plant is expected
to start in early July 2024 and will take approximately four months to
complete.
