
A non-hazardous chemical spill occurred in Florence, Kentucky last month following damage to a power transformer at the now-closed Eagle Manufacturing facility.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet confirmed that approximately 3,400 gallons of transformer oil were released on Jan. 16 after the transformer was damaged during a winter storm on Jan. 5, 2025. The spill affected an unnamed tributary of Bullock Pen Creek in Boone County.
According to the cabinet, the oil did not contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), synthetic chemicals linked to cancer. Samples were collected to confirm the absence of PCBs.
The Boone County Emergency Management team, along with a contracted expert, verified that the spill posed no threat to the local drinking water supply or the aquatic life in the stream. Cleanup was completed on Jan. 22.
The incident has raised concerns among community members, which were first expressed on social media. This event follows severe weather conditions in early January that impacted the region.