Update - April 4, 2023
Duke Energy submitted a Feasibility Study Work Plan in August 2022 which was approved by DHEC in November 2022. The Feasibility Study Work Plan is a framework for how the Feasibility Study will be conducted. Duke Energy is currently evaluating remedial alternatives and will submit a Feasibility Study to DHEC later this year.
A Feasibility Study follows specific EPA guidance to evaluate remedial alternatives using a standard set of criteria. The criteria evaluated are the overall protection of human health and the environment; compliance with applicable or relevant and appropriate standards; long-term effectiveness and permanence; reduction of toxicity, mobility, or volume; short-term effectiveness; implementability; and cost. Two additional criteria, state acceptance and community acceptance, are evaluated after the Feasibility Study has been submitted and DHEC presents a proposed plan.
A Feasibility Study will always include a no action remedial alternative as a baseline for comparison to other alternatives. Once the Feasibility Study has been received, reviewed, comments addressed, and approved by DHEC, a proposed plan will be produced by DHEC presenting a preferred remedy for cleanup. DHEC will hold a public meeting and open up a public comment period to solicit any feedback on the preferred remedy. This is expected to occur during the Fall 2023.
Overview
The CSXT Bramlett Road Site (Site) consists of five parcels in Greenville, South Carolina, including the former location of a Duke Power Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP), which covers 3.69 acres and is located at 400 South Bramlett Road, and a seven-acre unpermitted construction and demolition debris landfill (a/k/a Vaughn Landfill) downgradient of the former MGP property. The current owner of the landfill, the MGP, and other three parcels is CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT).
In 1917, Southern Public Utilities originally developed the manufactured gas plant. Ownership of the MGP transferred to Duke Power Company in 1939. The plant ceased operation in 1951 and the above-ground structures were demolished in the late 1950s. In 1997, Duke Power Company changed its name to Duke Energy Corporation, in September 2006, converted to Duke Power Company, LLC, and in October of 2006, changed its name to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC. (hereinafter generally referred to as "Duke")
Manufactured gas was the predecessor to natural gas and was used to provide gas for lighting, heating, and cooking for the City of Greenville. The Duke Power MGP produced gas using the coal gasification process. This process resulted in the creation of a tar-like waste material that was often discharged to nearby ditches or surface water bodies. Coal tar waste from the Duke Power MGP was discharged into several ditches and eventually migrated across Bramlett Road to a property where, in 1988, an unpermitted landfill was located on the property 800 feet west of the intersection of Bramlett Road and West Washington Street, on the south side of Bramlett Road. The landfill is approximately six feet in depth and covers approximately seven acres. Waste from the MGP is present beneath the landfill.
Assessments
Duke conducted several investigations to assess the nature and extent of contamination at the Site. In 2002, Duke removed 61,000 tons of material from the former MGP property and replaced it with clean soil. Soil was excavated to a depth of three to six feet across the majority of the former MGP property.
Voluntary Cleanup Contract
On July 29, 2016, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (Duke) entered into Voluntary Cleanup Contract 16-5857-RP (VCC) with DHEC. Under the VCC, Duke will conduct an environment investigation of the Site and will evaluate alternatives for addressing the remaining contamination. The Groundwater Remedial Investigation began in 2017. Following that initial investigation, it was determined that additional investigation was needed. In 2018, an Addendum to the Groundwater Remedial Investigation was approved and completed. Data from the Addendum showed that a third phase of Groundwater Remedial Investigation was necessary. An additional Remedial Investigation Work Plan Addendum was submitted and approved by DHEC in July 2019. Duke Energy submitted the Remedial Investigation Report in June 2020. DHEC approved the Remedial Investigation Report in September 2020.
It was determined that additional investigation was needed to evaluate the former stormwater conveyance ditches. Duke Energy submitted a Remedial Investigation Work Plan Addendum in September 2020 which was approved by DHEC. Along with the additional remedial investigation work, Duke submitted plans to conduct aquifer performance testing (November 2020), forensic analysis of non-aqueous phase liquids in sediment and soil samples (December 2020), and to provide interim best management practices in the ditches and the outfall (March 2021). Duke Energy submitted the Remedial Investigation Report Addendum in late July 2021. The Remedial Investigation Report Addendum was approved by DHEC in January 2022. Duke Energy submitted a Feasibility Study Work Plan in August 2022. The Feasibility Study Work Plan was approved in November 2022.
Historical Documents
Below are historical documents relating to the previous investigations of the Site. These documents include work plans, investigation activities, remedial action plans, and other key documents. If you are interested in documents that appear on the Index but are not listed below, please contact the Department.
Mailing List
Anyone interested in receiving updates may contact Elisa Vincent at 803-898-0840 or via email vincenef@dhec.sc.gov. If you have received information directly from DHEC, you are already on the Site's mailing list.