01-04-2025
Oil sheen on Grand River caused by transformers
GRANDVILLE, Mich (WOOD) — An oil sheen on the Grand River in metro Grand Rapids was caused by downed transformers, officials from the utility and the state environmental department say.
Reports of an oil sheen on the Grand River near the Grand Rapids-Grandville-Walker border were confirmed to News 8 Tuesday morning by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Several transformers along Market Avenue SW in Grand Rapids were blown over during Sunday's storm and released oil into storm drains that flow into the river, EGLE and Consumers Energy said.
The oil does not contain PCBs, EGLE said. Polychlorinated Biphenyls are a toxic chemical known to cause cancer, EGLE said in a statement.
Consumers says it learned of the spill Monday, sent an emergency response team to the area and hired a contractor for containment and cleanup.
'We are coordinating our clean up response with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), who have confirmed there are no public drinking water intakes immediately downstream in the Grand River and no anticipated environmental harm to aquatic life due to the nature of the spill and response efforts,' the Jackson-based utility said in a Tuesday statement to News 8.
EGLE stated that it will monitor the situation to make sure the public and the environment are protected and offer Consumers any assistance needed.
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