Manufactured Gas Plants
Former Madera Manufactured Gas Plant
Overview: PG&E and Southern California Gas worked together to clean up the site of a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) at the intersection of East Ninth and South E Streets in Madera, California. Environmental remediation work at the site was completed in 2011 as part of a voluntary program under the oversight of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). The 14-week-long project involved the removal of impacted soil beneath the footprint of the MGP site. The property is now used as a parking lot for a PG&E-owned construction yard.
A post-remediation evaluation was conducted in a June 2012 On-Site Remediation Closure Report (2012.PDF, 8.2 MB), which verified that the goal of achieving unrestricted land use was reached. DTSC agreed with this determination in a June 2012 Approval Letter (27.12.PDF0.PDF, 233 KB). In February 2013, DTSC issued a No Further Action (NFA) Letter (25.13.PDF, 226 KB) for the PG&E property.
An Off-Site Remediation Closure Report (25.13.PDF, 4.9 MB) discussing the successful removal of impacted soil in accessible off-site areas was determined to be complete by DTSC in January 2013. However, for portions of two adjacent City streets with arsenic greater than background levels, a DTSC-required Soil Management Plan (SMP) was prepared that will be coordinated through the City of Madera for any future work that may take place in these areas.
History: The former Madera MGP operated from 1913 to 1931. The site resides in a present day commercial/industrial area, in close proximity to one single-family home. The former MGP plant was dismantled when natural gas became available in Madera, and the MGP structures were removed from the site between 1931 and 1935. PG&E purchased the property in 1931 from the company now known as the Southern California Gas Company.
Community Benefits:
- Installation of a new fence around the perimeter of the site, and
- Installation of a new lighting system to better serve the surrounding community.
Sustainability: Sustainable practices are important to PG&E. We try to reduce our carbon footprint on environmental remediation projects, to the greatest extent possible. On this project, we were able to recycle 487 tons of asphalt/concrete, contribute $533,000 to the local economy and provide 1,991 hours of work to local community members.
Additional Resources:
- News Article - PG&E Completes Environmental Projects in Monterey, Madera, Watsonville, Tracy; January 2012
- Work Notice - July 2011
- Fact Sheet – February 2011
- DTSC Resources & Contact Information
Site-related documents can also be found at:
Madera County Library –121 North G Street, Madera (559-675-7871)
Contact Information
Environmental Remediation
Information and Response Line
1-866-247-0581
Important Health & Safety Information
There is no indication that PG&E's former MGP sites pose any health concerns to the public, based on our testing, experience, and extensive review of medical literature.
“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. © 2009 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved.
