Site Update Reports for the Year 2013

Update

The schedule for onsite construction at the former Citizen’s MGP site has been delayed as National Grid finalizes construction contracts, and procures and fabricates specialized materials, such as the sheet piles that will be used to test barrier wall construction methods. We expect the onsite pilot study to begin in the near future and, as we have stated in the past, we believe the work will take about two months to complete. We will notify the community prior to the start of construction.

Earlier this year, we completed pre-construction building surveys and conducted baseline noise and vibration studies in the community. We also selected a general contractor for this project. Key activities during the pilot study will include:

• Digging test pits to examine historical structures like the bulkheads along the canal
• Driving steel sheet piles along the canal and within the boundaries of the site to determine the best method for constructing a barrier wall
• Monitoring and evaluating noise and vibration during construction

Testing conducted during the pilot study will be used to design a remedy that delivers a safe and successful cleanup while limiting disruption to the community and achieving a long-term solution. Information gained during the Citizens pilot study will also be used for remediation efforts at the former Metropolitan and Fulton MGP sites.

Update, July 2013

National Grid has received permit approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to implement the Remedial Design Pilot Study at the former Citizens MGP Site. Approvals from a number of other federal and state agencies have also been received. The remedial construction work cannot be performed until the Pilot Study has been completed and the Remedial Design is submitted to and approved by the NYSDEC. We anticipate beginning the study in September.

The pilot study will include:

1. Investigation of the bulkhead structures on Parcel II (the location of the active concrete plant) between the existing cribbing supports and the dock structures;

2. Investigation of the existing historical bulkhead on Parcel III, which is the former distribution warehouse property, near the end of Huntington Street;

3. Investigation of the condition of the Bond-Lorraine Street Sewer that runs across the site between Bond and Smith Streets (at Huntington St);

4. Installation of test sheet piles along the bulkhead on Parcel II;

5. Installation of sheet pile barrier wall elements on Parcel III to evaluate sheet pile interlock seal configurations, and constructability;

6. Evaluation of sheet pile grouting alternatives.

National Grid and its contractors have completed a significant portion of the proposed scope of the off-site SRI Work Plan and SRI Work Plan Addendum (posted on the Website). The off-site investigation is focused on the areas north, east and south of the MGP Site to complete the off-site remedial investigation. Additional investigative work is planned to the south and east of the site as access is granted to related properties.

National Grid is continuing to contact property owners in the area of Smith and 5th Streets regarding preconstruction property surveys, prior to commencement of the Pilot Study. National Grid conducts these surveys to protect property owners in the unlikely event that damage occurs from vibrations during construction work.

National Grid conducts these surveys to protect property owners in the unlikely event that damage occurs from vibrations during construction work. As part of this program, National Grid has asked several property owners to permit active sound and vibration monitoring to be conducted during normal construction hours to gauge the noise and vibration levels during construction activities. This helps us determine if a particular operation may lead to undesirable results so we can modify our operations accordingly.

National Grid has been performing and improving a DNAPL collection and removal program from wells installed on Parcels I, II and III. The purpose of this program is to remove as much coal tar as practical by pumping it out of the ground. To date, our program has removed over 20,000 gallons of mostly coal tar from the subsurface and we continue to develop methods to make this operation more efficient and optimize recoveries. The DNAPL system and storage facilities were secured prior to Hurricane Sandy, and no release of product occurred during the storm. National Grid is committed to protecting the public, our workers and contractors, and the environment from potential hazards associated with cleanup activities. Public safety is managed with oversight from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Every investigation and remedial measure is conducted under a Health and Safety Plan approved by the NYSDEC and the NYSDOH. For more information about the Pilot Studies, click here or go to Key Documents/Major Reports and click on the link to the Citizens Pilot Study Work Plan.

Update, February 27, 2013

National Grid has received permit approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to implement the Remedial Design Pilot Study at the former Citizens MGP Site   Approvals from a number of other federal and state agencies have also been received.   We anticipate beginning the study in the spring.   The remedial construction work cannot be performed until the Pilot Study has been completed and the Remedial Design is submitted to and approved by the NYSDEC. The pilot study will include:

1. Investigation of the bulkhead structures on Parcel II (the location of the active concrete plant) between the existing cribbing supports and the dock structures;

2. Investigation of the existing historical bulkhead on Parcel III, which is the former distribution warehouse property, near the end of Huntington Street;

3. Investigation of the condition of the Bond-Lorraine Street Sewer that runs across the site between Bond and Smith Streets (at Huntington St);

4. Installation of test sheet piles along the bulkhead on Parcel II;

5. Installation of sheet pile barrier wall elements on Parcel III to evaluate sheet pile interlock seal configurations, and constructability;

6. Evaluation of sheet pile grouting alternatives.

National Grid and its contractors have completed a significant portion of the proposed scope of the off-site SRI Work Plan and SRI Work Plan Addendum (posted on the Website).  The off-site investigation is focused on the areas north, east and south of the MGP Site to complete the off-site remedial investigation.   Additional   investigative work is planned to the south and east of the site as access is granted to related properties.

National Grid is continuing to contact property owners in the area of Smith and 5th Streets regarding preconstruction property surveys, prior to commencement of the Pilot Study.   National Grid conducts these surveys to protect property owners in the unlikely event that damage occurs from vibrations during construction work.   As part of this program, National Grid may ask several property owners to permit active sound and vibration monitoring to be conducted during normal construction hours to gauge the noise and vibration levels during construction activities.   This will help us determine if a particular operation may lead to undesirable results and we can modify our operations accordingly.

National Grid has been performing and improving a DNAPL collection and removal program from wells installed on Parcels I, II and III.   The purpose of this program is to remove as much coal tar as practical by pumping it out of the ground.   To date, our program has removed over 20,000 gallons of mostly coal tar from the subsurface and we continue to develop methods to make this operation more efficient and optimize recoveries.   The DNAPL system and storage facilities were secured prior to Hurricane Sandy, and no release of product occurred during the storm.   National Grid is committed to protecting the public, our workers and contractors, and the environment from potential hazards associated with cleanup activities.  Public safety is managed with oversight from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).  Every investigation and remedial measure is conducted under a Health and Safety Plan approved by the NYSDEC and the NYSDOH.  For more information about the Pilot Studies, click here or go to Key Documents/Major Reports and click on the link to the Citizens Pilot Study Work Plan.

End of Updates