IEPA Could Take Cleanup Action Against ComEd

Date: June 20, 2002

Source: News Room

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency may consider enforcement action against Commonwealth Edison unless the utility and local officials develop a unified plan by August to finish cleaning up a contaminated park in Oak Park. After months of deadlock, EPA gave ComEd, the Village of Oak Park and the Park District of Oak Park 60 days to submit details on how they will move forward with the massive, $50 million redemption of Barrie Park, the site of a former manufactured gas plant. Oak Park residents have accused the utility of skimping on its promise to completely remove toxic remnants after air quality monitors in February detected high levels of the carcinogens benzene and naphthalene. ComEd insists that clay caps on any remaining contaminated soil will comply with state environmental safety guidelines while protecting 7,000 park visitors and residents of 30 homes surrounding the 3 1/2-acre park.

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