EPA Launches Investigation at Former Refinery Site
A refinery once stood on this property
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA 90-year-old former refinery site in East Chicago that now serves as a petroleum tank terminal will be the target of an investigation as authorities try to determine “the nature of and extent of hazardous waste releases.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced Citgo Petroleum Corp. and Oxy USA have agreed to address petroleum and other chemical discharges at the former Cities Service Refinery.
The companies will look for soil and groundwater contamination.
“I appreciate the willingness Citgo and Oxy have shown to cooperate and work towards our common goals of protecting local human health and the environment,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report Citgo and Oxy USA will determine how much hazardous waste is left at the former refinery and tank terminal while cleaning anything up that “may pose a risk to human health or the environment.”
The refinery opened in 1929. In 1972, operations were shut down and the refinery dismantled several years later. All that is left is a 228-acre terminal facility with 53 petroleum-holding tanks which is owned by Citgo.
There is also an adjacent 93-acre site, owned by Oxy USA, which is mostly vacant other than some underground storage tanks.