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Shelton seeks $449,150 Ecology grant to test and replace PCB-containing transformers; PUD 3 to implement under ILA
Summary
Shelton staff said the city applied with Public Utility District No. 3 for a Department of Ecology stormwater PCB grant ($449,150) to test, dispose of and replace up to roughly 105 older transformers; staff recommended placing the grant acceptance and interlocal agreement on the May 19 agenda for final action.
City staff told the Shelton City Council on May 5 that the city applied for and expects Department of Ecology funding to address PCBs found in older electrical transformers.
Patrick Hoffman, the city’s stormwater technician, said the city submitted a proposal in coordination with Public Utility District No. 3 of Mason County. Hoffman said the funding opportunity would cover testing, disposal and replacement of targeted transformers identified by age and past PCB findings, and that the grant amount available was $449,150. "We submitted a grant proposal to the Department of Ecology for, available funding of $450,000...the full amount for the funding, which is $449,150," Hoffman said.
Hoffman described the work as targeted: the grant would fund testing and the safe handling/disposal and replacement of units flagged by records and past sampling. He told the council the project would be conducted by PUD 3 and the city would receive grant funding through the stormwater capacity program; the ILA discussed would formalize roles and clarify that the city is not financially responsible for the project if PUD 3 exceeds grant budgets. "The ILA...specifies that the city is not responsible for any of the cost of this project," Hoffman said.
Council members thanked PUD 3 for its role and emphasized the public-health rationale for removing toxins from the environment. The council voted to place two resolutions—one to accept the Ecology grant funding (1437-0426) and one authorizing the city manager to sign the interlocal agreement with PUD 3 (1438-0426)—on the May 19 action agenda for final consideration.
What the grant would cover
- Grant amount discussed in the presentation: $449,150 (Department of Ecology stormwater capacity grant). - Scope described by staff: testing, transporting, disposal and replacement of older transformers identified by records (staff referenced up to about 105 targeted units as an approximate figure). - Role of PUD 3: implement the work, handle procurement and invoicing to the city for reimbursement under the grant; the ILA would document responsibilities and timelines.
Next steps
Staff will return the full grant-acceptance resolution and the finalized ILA with PUD 3 on the May 19 council agenda for the council to vote to accept the grant and authorize the agreement.
