05-19-2016, 04:55 PM
(02-03-2015, 03:37 PM)nms Wrote: Long term remediation would probably depend on what the insurance companies say. Remember knob and tube wiring and asbestos? Insurance companies are pretty good at convincing property owners to remove it whenever it is discovered.
Not sure if insurance did anything, they just don't cover fires due to knob and tube, since it's not a question of if there is a fire but when the risk wouldn't be able to be spread out amongst other similar properties. Insurance is good for pooling risk but if all gas stations are at a high risk of leaking the premiums would end up being very high assuming at some point each site will need remediation it runs into the same problem.
As for cleanup, sometimes the cost of remediation is more than what the property is worth, it is a problem that goes beyond just gas stations. If memory serves the new google building they didn't actually dig they use what they could of the existing building, probably due to contamination on the site, but other sites don't have the option due to the size of the building being inadequate for any sort of redevelopment.