Case Summary: $5.5 Million Settlement for PBC Cleanup at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site

On November 22, 2016, a settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and multiple parties was approved, which requires potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to fund and perform a $5.5 million cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in areas surrounding the Ward Transformer Superfund site in Raleigh, NC. This global settlement, which includes more than 170 generators, requires remedial work at operable unit (OU) 1 at the site and settle out the contribution claims associated with OU2. In 2005, EPA and nine PRPs entered an administrative settlement for a removal action at OU2, which cost more than $80 million.

On this page:

• Information about the Ward Transformer Superfund Site
• Summary of the consent decree
• Contact information

Information about the Ward Transformer Superfund Site

The Ward Transformer Superfund site is a former electric transformer manufacturing, repair, sales and reconditioning plant located in a predominantly industrial area. While operations were conducted from 1964 to 2006, the facility received transformers, capacitors, switchgears and other similar electrical equipment containing PCBs, which were spilled during repair or reconditioning. PCBs contaminated the soils found at the 11-acre facility and neighboring properties. In addition, contamination has affected several nearby bodies of water, including Lake Crabtree. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2003 because of contaminated fish tissue, sediment and soil caused by facility operations.

For more information on the Site, please visit Ward Transformer Superfund Site.

Summary of the consent decree

Under the consent decree, the settling parties will be responsible for implementing the cleanup action selected in a September 2008 Record of Decision. The cleanup includes excavating PCB-contaminated soil and sediment and monitoring of sediment and aquatic organisms to ensure cleanup goals are being met. The parties will also implement administrative and/or legal controls that help minimize the potential for human exposure to contamination. One of the long-term goals of the remedial action is to allow fuller use of Lake Crabtree.

Contact information

For more information, contact

C. Jade Rutland
Associate Regional Counsel
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 4
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA  30303
(404) 562-9562
Rutland.jade@epa.gov