Cleanup Continues at Site of ConEd Oil Spill in Dumbo [Video]

Boats were out in the water Tuesday hauling what appeared to be cleanup equipment around the ConEd plant at the base of Jay Street in Dumbo.

In early May the failure of a transformer containing 37,000 gallons of oil at the ConEd substation released an unknown amount into the East River. ConEd immediately began cleanup of the substance, known as dielectric fluid, a type of mineral oil, according to the Coast Guard and Con Ed, Gothamist reported at the time.

Days later, a heavy smell of oil lingered at the water’s edge, as we noted.

It’s unclear how long the cleanup will take. When we checked out the scene today, two boats were in the water and communicating with staff on the pier while a boom, or spill containment barrier, was pulled around the pier and tied in place.

It’s not the first issue at the substation, which caught fire in 2011 and 2012 (twice!). Later in 2012, it flooded during Hurricane Sandy, causing a power outage.

[Video and photos by Susan De Vries]

Related Stories

• Huge Dumbo Oil Spill Leaves Heavy Smell of Petroleum in Air (Updated)
• From Radiation to Black Mayonnaise: 5 of Brooklyn’s Most Polluted Sites
• Fire at Con Ed Plant in Dumbo

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.