LAKEPORT >> A contractor with PG&E spilled approximately 27 gallons of mineral oil at a Lakeport facility yesterday. The oil ran into drainage ditches and possibly spread to Clear Lake, causing crews to scramble in order to limit any potential harm.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, an electrician accidentally tipped over three transformers as a crew attempted to move them. The incident took place at a building on Industrial Avenue near Main Street, PG&E Spokesperson Brian Swanson said. According to him, the oil that is used to cool the transformers quickly spread due to the recent rains.
The runoff spread into a nearby drain that empties into a lagoon associated with residences located at 1800 South Main St.
Residents reported seeing boats Wednesday night and weren’t really aware of what exactly happened.
“I’ve never seen this before,” resident Michael Keeney said.
Floating barricades were placed around the lagoon, including those leading to Pier 1900 and the lake. Swanson said “robust containment measures” were in place by 7 p.m.
On Industrial Avenue, large vacuum trucks and other equipment lined up adjacent to huge black and clear plastic tarpaulins. PG&E and Patriot Environmental Services employees were seen wearing one-piece protection suits as they worked to contain the spill.
The extent of the damage was not made available at press time, and further testing must be done. Swanson said water samples have been taken and soil tests will begin today. Once the results are returned, especially for the lake water, the utility company will have a better understanding of the impact and how best to clean it up.
One chemical they may test for is polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). Mineral oils contained small amounts before it was outlawed by the federal government under the Toxic Substances Control Act in the 1970s.
Depending on how old the transformers were, PCB may have gotten into the soil and the water. According to Lake County Environmental Health Director Ray Ruminski, the age of the transformers were not yet known at press time.
Regardless of that fact, Ruminski said the situation “still needs a response and an investigation if any oil spilled into a waterway.“
Swanson said his company will work until the area is cleaned up.
“Protecting the environment is important to PG&E,” he said. “We take events like this very seriously.”
He added that state and federal agencies have been informed.
“I’m glad it didn’t get worse,” long-time resident Roy Swidan said.
