The federal Environmental Protection Agency is working to decontaminate a Superfund project site in the town of Union.

The former Goudey Power Station near the village of Johnson City was operated by NYSEG for several decades. The utility sold the coal-burning plant in 1999.

An old sign at the former Goudey Power Station in Westover on February 13, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
An old sign at the former Goudey Power Station in Westover on February 13, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Environmental regulators have long been concerned about hazardous substances at the site just west of Riverside Drive in Westover. Issues include various chemicals, along with asbestos and petroleum problems.

Local authorities and state investigators took a greater interest in the site after a petroleum fire was ignited by a torch being used by workers removing scrap metal.

Workers in protective gear at a former NYSEG generating plant on April 25, 2023. (Photo: WNBF News)
Workers in protective gear at a former NYSEG generating plant on April 25, 2023. (Photo: WNBF News)
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An EPA investigation revealed demolition work had started before asbestos had been removed. Asbestos was found in a large debris field surrounding the old plant and on the property's roadways.

The federal agency is planning to secure asbestos-containing debris on the site. The EPA also is evaluating the property for the presence of hazardous substances.

A view of the abandoned coal-fired generating plant on February 13, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A view of the abandoned coal-fired generating plant on February 13, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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According to public records, the property is owned by NRGY Development LLC of Tampa, Florida.

Northeast Heavy Metal - a western New York company - is pursuing legal action against the current owners of the old Goudey Station site and a demolition company.

An auction of the property to satisfy a judgment of nearly $250,000 had been scheduled in January but it was postponed.

A guard shack at the former Goudey Station has been trashed. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A guard shack at the former Goudey Station has been trashed. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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There have been fewer problems reported at the site since fencing improvements were made.

It's not known when demolition work may resume and who will be responsible for paying for removing what remains of the old NYSEG generating plant.

VIDEO: WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph inspected the abandoned site in Westover.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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