Constellation Energy, as part of the company's commitment to an open dialogue with the public, sponsored a community meeting in July, 2008 in Gambrills, Maryland, regarding the remediation efforts at the BBSS sand and gravel site where CEG has placed fly ash. The highlights of questions posed and Constellation Energy's responses are provided below.
- Please elaborate on comments about reducing sulfate levels in the groundwater based on Constellation's proposed pump and treat system. Are those reductions based on model predictions or historical data? How long will this process take?
- Will commercial development help resolve issues at the BBSS site?
- Can development at the BBSS site continue while remediation is ongoing?
- If MDE determines the need for a better cap on the site, will the parking lot planned as part of the development be used as the cap?
- Will development disturb the cap?
- We know there's been a class action suit filed against Constellation - what's the issue?
- What is it about the model you're using to determine remediation recommendations that makes you think you have an accurate picture of the site when previous models obviously were not as accurate as you thought they'd be?
- From the information available, it appears that all data on your monitoring wells has been collected and analyzed in-house, specifically by BGE. Why aren't you using a third party for this?
- Can we get a copy of the report Constellation filed which listed the remediation options?
Q. Please elaborate on comments about reducing sulfate levels in the groundwater based on Constellation's proposed pump and treat system. Are those reductions based on model predictions or historical data? How long will this process take?
A. They are based on modeling predictions which take into consideration a wide variety of site-specific information, including historical data. Certain site corrective measures have already commenced, pending the MDE decisions regarding any additional remedies to be applied under the Consent Decree.
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Q. Will commercial development help resolve issues at the BBSS site?
A. Yes. The buildings, pavement, and storm water management controls associated with this commercial development will provide a high performance cap and storm water management system to prevent water from entering the ash fill and help resolve groundwater issues at the BBSS site. MDE-approved construction requirements and deed restrictions should ensure appropriate ash management during construction and long term protection of the ash fill.
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Q. Can development at the BBSS site continue while remediation is ongoing?
A. The development is actually considered to be an integral part of the remediation because the development will provide an improved cap over the ash to minimize any future storm water infiltration into the ash fill. In addition, the development will provide a storm water management system to direct water away from the area. Other elements needed for a complete remediation such as groundwater recovery wells are being incorporated into the development plan.
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Q. If MDE determines the need for a better cap on the site, will the parking lot planned as part of the development be used as the cap?
A. The parking lots and buildings are already planned to be part of the improved cap for the site. These areas as well as the surrounding non-paved areas over the ash fill will meet state capping requirements.
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Q. Will development disturb the cap?
A. Yes, development will disturb portions of the existing cap. However, MDE-approved requirements should ensure appropriate ash management during construction.
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Q. We know there's been a class action suit filed against Constellation - what's the issue?
A. Our focus at the BBSS site is on the remediation options, progress to date to meet the requirements of the consent agreement, and efforts to ensure residents and the environment are being protected. Due to the nature of litigation, we cannot comment on the class action suit. [Update: The class action lawsuit was settled.]
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Q. What is it about the model you're using to determine remediation recommendations that makes you think you have an accurate picture of the site when previous models obviously were not as accurate as you thought they'd be?
A. The modeling we're using to determine remediation recommendations is a tool that's well established in the industry. Actual groundwater level and quality data collected from our monitoring wells, offsite wells, and regional groundwater information were used to generate a model consistent with observed conditions. That model was then used to predict the effectiveness of various remediation options.
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Q. From the information available, it appears that all data on your monitoring wells has been collected and analyzed in-house, specifically by BGE. Why aren't you using a third party for this?
A. Constellation operates a qualified laboratory that is supervised by a Ph.D. chemist and two trained analytical chemists with Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry. However, significant portions of the BBSS data analysis also have been performed by an outside contract laboratory. Specifically, Phase Separation Science, Inc. has been analyzing samples for ammonia, antimony, arsenic, lead, selenium, silver, thallium, COD, and total cyanide. Phase Separation Science, Inc. has also been analyzing samples collected from private drinking wells.
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Q. Can we get a copy of the report Constellation filed which listed the remediation options?
A. The entire report, which was filed with MDE on May 5, 2008 is available on our Web site -- www.communityashupdate.com [Update: the revised Remedial Alternatives Analysis, submitted to MDE in September 2010, is also available on our Website.]
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