Hazardous Materials Unit Responds to Report of Leak at GenOn Plant

The Alexandria Hazardous Materials Team responded to a leak at the GenOn plant Wednesday morning due to a report of a leaking sulfuric acid tank.

The plant is located at 1400 N. Royal Street and the intersection of Bashford Lane and North Royal Street was closed along with a part of the Mount Vernon bike trail as a precautionary measure, according to the Fire Department.

Alexandria City and Arlington County HazMat Team members put on protective equipment, entered site and determined there was no active leak or fumes emitting from the area around 1:53 a.m. The 15 x 20 containment basin leaked an estimated 1,300 gallon of product from the storage tank..

The team determined there was no hazard to residents and all street closures were reopened by 4:45 am. 

GenOn had a contractor scheduled to arrive and remove the product.  The cause of the leak is under investigation.