Fuel plant's toxic legacy measured

Apr 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Brian Nearing Times Union, Albany, N.Y.

National Grid is continuing to explore a cleanup of toxic pollution left behind from the gaslight era, when coal was converted into a gas at a plant on Linden Street Extension from the 1880s until shortly after World War II.

National Grid will investigate the former plant between Interstate-787 and the Mohawk River for the extent of coal tar, a byproduct of coal gasification. The plant operated from 1880 to 1949, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Starting in 2005, previous investigations by the company found coal tar contamination of the soil, groundwater and bedrock at the site, which used to be the location of the former St. Michael's Community Center.

Coal tar contains highly toxic chemicals and health agencies consider it a carcinogen.

Work to be conducted by National Grid includes test borings of soil and bedrock, monitoring wells for water, collection of soil samples, and digging of test pits.

Results of the investigation will be used to determine what kind of voluntary cleanup plan National Grid will propose. Information on the investigation is on file at the Cohoes City Public Library at 169 Mohawk Street.

The company is also investigating another former gas plant on Sargent Street, near White Street, which had operated from 1853 to 1867.

In 2002, the DEC reached an agreement with National Grid to clean up about 50 former gas plants, at an estimated price tag of about $400 million. New York has more than 200 of these industrial relics, and the DEC has agreements with current owners to clean up 119 of these sites.

National Grid to investigate pollution at Cohoes coal gasification site