On August 24, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) informed the Peabody Board of Health that there was a release “of Oil and/or Hazardous materials” reported in May at 201 Warren Street, Ext. – home of Peabody Municipal Light Plant headquarters.

The parcel is located within an Environmental Justice (EJ) Area, census track 2108, with a population of 1,260 in 596 households. The area meets the minority and income characteristics to be identified as an EJ community with a minority population of 43.1% and the median household income is $31,833. Households with language isolation total 16.9%.

PMLP submitted a Release Notification Form to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on May 25, 2023 indicating that there is or has been a release of Oil and/or Hazardous Material…MassDEP has reason to believe that the subject property or portion(s) thereof is a Disposal Site.”

PMLP has legal responsibilities under state law for assessing and/or remediating the released pollution. A licensed site professional must be employed to manage the necessary actions to remediate the pollution.

“MassDEP encourages parties with liabilities under M.G.L. c. 21E to take prompt action in response to releases and threats of release of Oil and/or Hazardous Material. By taking prompt action, you may significantly lower your assessment and cleanup costs and avoid the imposition of, or reduce the amount of Annual Compliance Fees for Response Actions” payable under law.