Fuel spilled from PUD diesel site

2,700 gallons fall to ground

About 2,700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the Grant County PUD diesel generator site on Randolph Road on May 20 while a crew was preparing for an air quality test.

The diesel-contaminated soil was removed by digging a hole about 16 to 20 feet deep across an area about 200 to 300 feet wide, according to a news release from the PUD. The soil was then moved to a tarped containment site at the PUD's Larson Substation about 1.5 miles southeast from the site, where it will be held until arrangement can be made to move it to a licensed cleanup location, according to the release.

The spill occurred when PUD crews were pumping fuel from the main storage tanks to two of the 20 generators assigned to the air-quality test, according to the release.

During the transfer, an underground fuel service line leaked under pressure, according to the release.

PUD spokesman Gary Garnant said inspectors from the Washington State Department of Ecology were at the site that day and deemed the cleanup satisfactory.