Environmental Restoration
Environmental Restoration
Founded in 1971, Amtrak acquired historical rail lines and yards from Amtrak’s predecessor railroads along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in 1976. The NEC was electrified between 1905 and 1938. Historical railroad operations included the use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for electric equipment. Amtrak is actively restoring sites along the NEC that have been impacted by the historical use of PCBs. Members of the public are invited to review information on the five sites and provide comments.
Restoration Projects
Amtrak is working with state and federal partners to clean up several Amtrak stations and rail yards. Current project sites are located along the Northeast Corridor.
Cedar Hill Hamden Rail Yard
New York Penn Station
County Yard New Brunswick Rail Yard
Wilmington West Yard Rail Site
East Barracks Trenton Rail Yard
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are human-made organic chemicals that are part of the chlorinated hydrocarbon family. Once released into the environment, PCBs do not break down easily, persist in soil or other contaminated matter and can bioaccumulate (meaning they can accumulate over time in a living organism). According to the EPA, PCBs have been shown to cause adverse health effects to animals and humans. PCBs were manufactured for use in industrial and commercial applications until their production was banned by Congress in 1979. PCB-containing oil was used in transformers in electrical equipment because of PCBs’ non-flammability, stability and electrical insulation properties.
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are human-made organic chemicals that are part of the chlorinated hydrocarbon family. Once released into the environment, PCBs do not break down easily, persist in soil or other contaminated matter and can bioaccumulate (meaning they can accumulate over time in a living organism). According to the EPA, PCBs have been shown to cause adverse health effects to animals and humans. PCBs were manufactured for use in industrial and commercial applications until their production was banned by Congress in 1979. PCB-containing oil was used in transformers in electrical equipment because of PCBs’ non-flammability, stability and electrical insulation properties.
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments on the restoration plans for these sites, contact AskEnvironmental@Amtrak.com.
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