The public comment period for the Draft Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the PG&E Topock Compressor Station Soil Removal Action ended on August 5, 2020. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will respond to comments received and direct Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to revise the draft EE/CA. Current forecast/timeline for the EE/CA can be found here.
What's New
Remedy Construction Resumed on May 11, 2020
PG&E gradually resumed the construction of the groundwater remedy infrastructures starting May 11, 2020. PG&E resumed field activities following a 40-day temporary shutdown which was implemented as a precautionary measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New COVID-19 prevention measures have been implemented to maintain protection for workers and visitors. DTSC and the DOI will continue to coordinate with PG&E on fieldwork during the pandemic. For updated information about the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the California Department of Public Health website.
Groundwater Remedy Construction Temporarily Shut Down in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
A temporary shutdown of the groundwater remedy construction activities was initiated on April 1, 2020 to increase protection of personnel and the community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. PG&E continued to operate and maintain the Interim Measure "pump and treat" system (also known as IM-3) to ensure the protection of the Colorado River during this period.
For information about COVID-19, please visit the California Department of Public Health website.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the project and the COVID-19 response, please contact Mr. Philip McPhaul at Philip.McPhaul@dtsc.ca.gov.
Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for Groundwater Remedy Certified
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) certified the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) on April 24, 2018. It can be viewed here. The Final SEIR considered and responded to comments submitted during the draft review period.
Final Groundwater Design Approved
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) conditionally approved the Final Groundwater Design and the Construction/Remedial Action Work Plan on April 3, 2018. Subsequent to certification of the Final SEIR, DTSC conditionally approved the Final Groundwater Design and the Construction/Remedial Action Work Plan on April 24, 2018. The conditional approvals can be viewed here. The Final Groundwater Remedy Design document can be downloaded here.
Technical Workgroup (TWG) Meeting
The Technical Workgroup (TWG) was established as a subgroup of the Consultative Workgroup (CWG) for technical experts to deliberate on various scientific aspects of the Project and remediation issues as needed. A TWG meeting was held on September 9, 2020. The next TWG is planned for September 23, 2020.
Clearinghouse Task Force (CTF) Meeting
DTSC holds regular Clearinghouse Task Force (CTF) meetings. The CTF is a small group of representatives from State and Federal agencies, key stakeholders and Tribes formed to strategize and develop processes and tools to improve communications and enhance stakeholder understanding of Project and regulatory information. A CTF conference call was held on September 1, 2020.
Consultative Workgroup (CWG) Meeting
The Consultative Workgroup (CWG) is a specific group of key governmental agencies, stakeholders and Tribes established to facilitate participation in the Site investigation and remediation process. The CWG usually meets quarterly. A CWG meeting was held on July 8, 2020. The next CWG meeting is tentatively planned for October 7, 2020.
Soil Risk Assessment and Soil RFI/RI Reporting have begun
Upon completion of the soil investigation field work and discussion of soil data, DTSC and DOI concurred with PG&E to begin the soil risk evaluation process on June 20, 2017. The risk assessment assessed potential human health and ecological risks based on soil sampling data. This information will assist risk management decisions on the need for soil remediation, if any. The Soil Risk Assessment Report plus errata were approved on May 29, 2020. The main report can be downloaded here. The appendices to the report are available here.
Concurrently, the preparation of the Soil RFI/RI Report (also called the RFI/RI Volume 3 Report) has begun. The Soil RFI/RI Report will present the findings and conclusions of the soil investigation field work and the conclusions from the Risk Assessment. The Soil RFI/RI Report is anticipated to be completed in late 2021.
DTSC April 2018 Fact Sheet Available
The DTSC April 2018 Project Update Fact Sheet - Community Update: Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Topock Compressor Station, Environmental Investigation Update is now available to view here.
Phase 1 Construction Project Initiation Meeting held October 2, 2018
A Phase 1 Construction initiation meeting was held on October 2, 2018, in Needles, California. Over eighty individuals participated in the initiation meeting, including representatives from DOI, DTSC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Native American Indian Tribes (Fort Mojave Indian Tribes, Chemehuevi Tribe, Cocopah Indian Tribe, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes), and key construction contractors involved in the initial construction activities. The initiation meeting covered initial construction activities and schedules, PG&E’s health & safety expectations, DOI’s and DTSC’s expectations, and perspectives of the Tribes.
Construction of the Final Groundwater Remedy Has Begun
Click here for the current construction activities.
Topock Leadership Partnership (TLP) Meeting
The Topock Leadership Partnership (TLP) meeting is an opportunity for Tribal, Stakeholder, State and Federal Government, and PG&E Company leaders to interact and learn more about construction of the Topock groundwater remedy. The TLP held a meeting on September 18-19, 2018 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.