ComEd Substation Demolition Monitoring

The Oakland Facility Demolition and SRP Closure project in Chicago, involved the demolition and environmental remediation of a decommissioned utility facility originally constructed in 1929.

Specialty Consulting, Inc.’s (SPC) responsibilities included managing the segregation of demolition debris, including TSCA-regulated concrete, and subcontracting the transportation and disposal of TSCA-regulated waste. They conducted perimeter air monitoring for particulates and PCBs throughout the demolition process. SPC secured a discharge permit with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) for groundwater discharge from excavations into the City of Chicago's combined sewer system. They also oversaw the excavation, manifesting, and disposal of contaminated soil, conducting pre-excavation confirmation and post-excavation verification samples to ensure remediation objectives were met.

Additionally, SPC managed the sampling and disposal of TSCA/RCRA hazardous sludge within interior utility trenches. They prepared and submitted essential documentation, including a Comprehensive Site Investigation Report, Remedial Objectives Report, Remedial Action Plan, and Remedial Action Completion Report, maintaining communication with the IEPA to facilitate timely closure and secure a comprehensive NFR letter for the site.

A significant challenge was the limited space for soil removal. SPC developed a strategy, in consultation with the IEPA, to perform verification sampling before excavation, allowing continuous and expedited soil removal. They utilized a 95% ProUCL Chebyshev calculation to address an arsenic exceedance and a Tier 2 evaluation for a PNA exceedance, limiting the quantity of soil to be removed and achieving regulatory closure without the need for engineered barriers or institutional controls. SPC's approach ensured the successful remediation and closure of the site.