Asbestos, soil work to begin at former Michelin site in N.J.

Aug. 14 -- Federal environmental regulators are overseeing removal of asbestos from the former Michelin Powerhouse building in Milltown, N.J.

Contractors, under supervision from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will remove exposed asbestos insulation and materials that may have been contaminated with asbestos. They also will remove contaminated soil from areas of the site.

The site includes the former powerhouse building, an adjacent 100,000 gallon above-ground oil storage tank, two large brick smokestacks, a steel water tower and the area between the powerhouse and the mill pond. The powerhouse ceased operating in 1977, according to the EPA.

During an evaluation of the site, the EPA reported finding deteriorated asbestos-containing pipe, and tank insulation falling from overhead tanks and piping covering much of the floor.