By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO – State environmental officials continue to monitor cleanup at the NRG Indian River Power Plant – site of an overnight spill Wednesday of an estimated 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel that has impacted waterfowl.

Delaware’s Department on Natural Resources and Environmental Control said Friday that Tri-State Bird Rescue has also been “on the scene to help with geese on the property affected by the spill.”

“Canadian geese have been affected by the spill,” said DNREC spokeswoman Nikki Lavoie.

DNREC’s Fish and Wildlife staff have been working with Tri-State Bird Rescue throughout the cleanup to care for Canada geese.

More than 110 geese had been transported to Tri-State’s rehabilitation facility in Newark for de-oiling by Friday afternoon, DNREC spokesman Michael Globetti said.

“Other impacted geese were still in the area as DNREC staff and Tri-State volunteers worked throughout the day to capture and avail them to Tri-State’s de-oiling treatment,” Mr. Globetti said.

“We regret that a flock of resident Canadian geese was impacted,” said NRG spokesman Dave Schrader. “We want to express our deep appreciation to the Tri-State Bird Rescue for their continued assistance.”

Anyone who encounters geese or waterfowl in the area that appear to be incapacitated by the NRG diesel fuel spill is asked to call #DNR or DNREC’s toll-free environmental hotline at 1-800-662-8802 to report the birds’ location, so they can be caught and taken for treatment to Tri-State’s rehabilitation facility.

The spill at the NRG property on Power Plant Road occurred overnight Sept. 8 when a pressurized hose detached from an above-ground storage tank, according to DNREC.

Ms. Lavoie said Friday morning the spill is currently confined to a secondary containment area on site at the facility. The DNREC Emergency Response Team and Environmental Crimes Unit are still on site and continue to monitor the cleanup, Ms. Lavoie said.

“NRG continues to work around the clock cleaning up Wednesday’s diesel spill at its Indian River plant,” Mr. Schrader said. “NRG is working closely with multiple agencies to ensure the spill is completely cleaned up. We have made great progress already as a significant amount of diesel fuel has been recovered and removed. Again, the spill was confined to NRG’s property, so no waterways or public land have been affected.”

DNREC’s Emergency Response Team, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard were on scene last Wednesday to oversee cleanup.