Dominion Energy reports containment after Jan. 5 transformer oil spill at Clifton substation; VDEQ requests report

Dominion Energy representatives briefed the Clifton Town Council on Feb. 6 on a Jan. 5 rupture at the utility’s Clifton substation that released approximately 11,000 gallons of non-toxic mineral oil.

Scott Reamy of Dominion Energy described the rupture, containment and cleanup steps Dominion carried out after the leak, and said the company plans to enlarge containment systems to accommodate larger replacement transformers. Rodney Martin of Dominion described transformer inspections and alarm-system functionality, and John Black, Dominion’s environmental compliance representative, discussed the characteristics of the oil and the company’s containment design.

A resident asked for soil sampling beneath the containment liner and for lab results showing the oil composition. Alan Lacy, Pollution Response Manager for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), said he was on site during cleanup and observed that the nonpermeable liner was dry when impacted material above it was removed. Mark Miller, Regional Manager for VDEQ, said the agency’s primary concern is protection of the nearby Occoquan River and Popes Head Creek and that, based on their observations, the material appeared to have been contained on site.

VDEQ officials told the Council they have requested a written report from Dominion and expect that report in March; the agency said it will make the report available to the public when received. The Council’s discussion did not include a motion or formal action on the incident; officials said the state agency will continue its follow-up work.

Next steps: VDEQ review of Dominion’s written report, expected in March, and any additional sampling or corrective actions that agency requires.