By Kevin Woodhouse
www.thesuburban.com
While the Quebec Ministry of Environment has projected the cleanup cost of polychlorinated biphenyl-soaked oil at Reliance Power Equipment in Pointe Claire could reach $2.5 million, the company has agreed to clean up the mess prior to the ministry’s intervention last Friday morning.
The company had promised an action plan to be submitted by The Suburban’s press time. The PCB soaked oil leaked this past March with the company’s many derelict transformers doting the company’s storage area in the back that appears unused and neglected.
The Suburban contacted Hydro Québec to find out if any of the transformers from Reliance were associated with the former substation found on Donegani in Pointe Claire.
While there was no specific information about what happened to said transformers, headquarters spokesperson Marie-Elaine Deveault said that Hydro Québec “disposes of old transformers or equipment that contains contaminated minerals or oils at a company in Ontario that specializes in treating and recycling these materials.”
In order to keep citizens abreast of what has been going on between the city and Reliance Power Equipment; Pointe Claire residents received a notice from the city over the weekend.
“On Aug. 27, the council of the city of Pointe Claire was shocked to learn of the presence of PCBs,” stated the notice, which included a summary of events between the city and the company dating back 46 years to when a construction permit was issued for the company in 1967.
The release concluded that the city will “remain vigilant concerning the safety of our community and the decontamination process conducted under the responsibility of the Environment Ministry.”
Pointe Claire residents should consult the city’s website for more information at: www.ville.pointe-claire.qc.ca
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