Lockport, Illinois

Site Overview

Site Description

The Texaco refinery has been a fixture in Lockport since approximately 1911. During the war years, the refinery produced aviation gasoline, lubricating oils, and fuel oils. It also manufactured a number of petroleum products such as toluene, butadiene feed stock, isobutane, butylene, heavy hydroformate, and benzene. Production of kerosene, gas oils, asphalt, waxes, and coke was continued as economic conditions permitted. The plant was closed in 1981. In 1996, dismantling and cleanup of the site began. There are several solid waste management units (SWMUs) on the site that have been or are being closed.

Former Texaco refinery at Lockport, Illinois. Photo shows view of the south stormwater ponds

Texaco submitted a RCRA Post Closure Care Permit application to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). A public comment period for this application was expected in late summer/early fall 2000. Site assessment and redevelopment plans for the property were proceeding concurrently. One active redevelopment project included construction of a peaker power plant. Environmental issues related to cleanup and planned redevelopment of the site were a concern of the CARE group.

Organization Requesting Assistance

Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (CARE)

Date of Beginning Assistance

July 2000

Summary of TOSC Assistance

A Letter of Intent for technical assistance was signed, and TOSC representatives made several visits to the community to present educational materials and meet with the group. Presentation topics included Tiered Approach to Corrective Action (TACO), Environmental Impact and Permitting of Peaker Power Plants in Illinois, and specific work plans for two areas of the site. TOSC assisted with review of the Post Closure Care Permit application and attended the public hearing on this.

Further assistance to the Lockport community will be provided through the TOSC office at Purdue University.

NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:

- Belinda Young in EPA Region 7’s office (for help in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, or Iowa) at 913-551-7463 and Young.Belinda@epa.gov;

- Briana Bill in EPA Region 5’s office (for help in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) at 312-353-6646 and Bill.Briana@epa.gov; or

- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or

- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSC Information Contacts below:

TOSC Information Contact

Peter Kulakow
(previously with K-State TOSC Program)