PSEG Responsible For Toxic Soil Removal Around Utility Poles In East Hampton

According to hydrogeoloist Peter Dermody, hired by Long Island Businesses For Responsible Energy (LIBFRE) as an expert witness to examine the soil around PSEG utility poles in East Hampton for leaching of the toxic pentachlorophenol (PCP), which is used as a preservative for wood utility poles, the soil has up to 300 times the acceptable levels declared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The soil tested was by aquifers and farmland, and the penta will leach into our well water 
and farmland where public produce is grown.

PCP is banned in 26 countries and has been banned in the USA for all public uses since 1987 except for utility poles and railroads.

Dermody stated that PSEG is required by New York State law to remove the soil. In his report released a week ago, he asked for immediate signage warning people to stay away from the poles and fencing to keep people, pets and wildlife away. Over a week later, none of the 267 poles have been marked toxic or had soil removed from them.