HARTFORD –Prompted by reports from a district resident who was required to spend roughly $20,000 to remediate an oil spill on their property, Representative Larry Miller (R-122) renewed his call for the State’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to allow for the use of microbes to clear oil spills.
“The use of microbes to clear fuel spills has rapidly become a widely accepted way to clean fuel spills,” said Rep. Miller. “It is a natural and clean way to clear a fuel spill and it is also cost-effective. By allowing their use, the DEEP would be ensuring proper cleanup of fuel spills while providing a far more cost-effective approach for state residents who have to address such fuel spills.”
Miller explained that the microbe system of remediating fuel spills is fairly straightforward. Microbes are spread over the fuel spill area, and water is applied to activate them. Once saturated with water, they are agitated with a brush. Small spills can be consumed by the microbes in less than half an hour. No formal training is required to apply the microbe solution, and it is effective in water as well as on soil.
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Rep. Miller has introduced legislation several times to allow for the introduction of microbes as an ecologically conscious, clean and effective method of combatting oil spills, and indicated that he intends to do so again in the future. He also indicated support for creating a remediation fund similar to the one in place for gas station that would be for residential spills.
“When you have the added benefit of being able to adequately remove a fuel spill in a safe and effective way that costs a great deal less than other DEEP-approved methods it’s a win for everybody,” said Miller. “There is no hazardous residue as the microbes consume each other after the fuel is gone. This is a solution that makes sense, and I once again encourage DEEP to consider allowing these products to be used by state residents.”
