State to Investigate Former Gas Plant in Rye

RYE, N.Y. – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH), in conjunction with Con Edison, plan to investigate the site of the former Rye Gas Works on Theodore Fremd Ave. for "potential contamination associated with past gas operations."

The site, which encompasses nine acres, is one of many in the county that Con Edison has agreed to investigate and remediate as part of the DEC's Voluntary Cleanup Agreement.

According to the factsheet released by the DOH, an initial investigation conducted by Con Edison revealed contamination of the soil, bedrock, and ground water underneath the Con Edison facility. The report also states that the soil vapor and air samples came back negative.

The report states that the impacts from the gas plant are "mostly deep within the bedrock."

The results of this initial investigation have led both the DEC and the DOH to order an additional investigation to determine "the extent of the impacts both on Con Edison property and off-site locations where impacts may have migrated," the factsheet said.

The factsheet also states that during the investigation, the state plans to implement a plan to "ensure the community is not exposed to any contamination during the investigation." The investigation, which began earlier this month, is estimated to last three months.

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