Quebec approves plan to remove PCBs from Pointe-Claire site

Quebec's environment ministry has approved a plan from Reliance Power Equipment to remove PCBs stored atthecompany's sitein Pointe-Claire on Montreal's West Island.

• Pointe-Claire company behind PCBs will 'fully co-operate'
• PCB-laden oil found illegally stored in Pointe Claire

The company has beenstoring PCB-laden oil illegallyat the Hymus Boulevard site for the past 15 years.

Theministry confirmed last week itfound out about the presence of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) last March, after public works employees in Pointe-Claire detected an unknown substance leaking into the city's storm drains.

Provincial environment officials were called in to investigate that leak of800 to 1,200 litres of oil containing the chemical compound long-used as a coolant and insulating fluid but banned decades ago because of its environmental toxicity and danger to human health.

Officials have been waiting for a cleanup plan from Reliance Power Equipment for weeks. Last week, Environment Minister Yves-Franois Blanchet issued an ultimatum: submit a cleanup plan, or the province will move in, do the work and send the company the bill.

Blanchet said Wednesday thatanacceptable plan was deliveredon Tuesday.

Thecompany now has until Sept. 13 to transfer its holding equipment to a safe facility.

"The subcontractors doing the work are highly experienced people who have the experience to do the job," Blanchet said. "The plan is complete. The plan is satisfactory. The plan permits us to achieve our objectives in a safe way."

Blanchet said the environmentofficials will oversee the work andwill continue to pay close attention to Reliance's undertakings.

"If, in terms of execution, it's not completely up to our expectations, we will take control of the site instantly," he said.

The company's site is being guarded, and Blanchetsaid residents who live near the company's site have nothing to worry about.