Work wraps up at Champaign toxic site, EPA awaits final documentation

In 1953, an Illinois Power manufactured gas plant in Champaign shut its doors permanently. But despite the plant’s removal, many of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process stuck around. Over 70 years later, there is still work to be done.

The facility manufactured gas from coal, leaving behind waste like coal tar. This waste contains volatile organic compounds like benzene in addition to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, both of which are classified as carcinogens.

These chemicals contaminated soil and groundwater in and around the site of the plant, causing concerns for residents about prolonged exposure. The 5th and HIll Neighborhood Rights Campaign took over advocacy for residents.

The group claimed that “residents were never properly informed about the presence of a toxic waste site in their neighborhood and the potential health effects associated with the contamination seeping onto their properties.”

When the plant’s ownership was handed to Ameren, the company also took over responsibility for cleanup efforts in 1989 as part of the Illinois EPA’s Voluntary Site Remediation Program.

Investigations into the site were conducted and filed as early as 1990, but Ameren formally began its remediation efforts with a supplemental site investigation report in July 1997. The report details initial quarterly groundwater monitoring, soil sampling and tests to see if and how far coal tar waste had migrated into the neighborhood.

Ameren identified three main areas of concern, called parcels, and after more than a decade of tests and monitoring began to remove contaminated soil. A majority of this cleanup was done between 2009 and 2011, though Ameren continued to file air and groundwater reports through 2022.

Brian Bretsch, Public and Media Relations Manager at Ameren, said that there were no health concerns for nearby residents from groundwater exposure and soil vapor according to these tests.

The most recent groundwater report on the Ameren website, however, is from December 2022, and the most recent air report from September of the same year.

When asked about the gap in data, Brad Frost– Community Relations Manager at the Illinois EPA– said the work is ongoing, but did not have an exact explanation.

“I wonder if they just haven’t gotten scanned in our records unit, because quarterly groundwater monitoring continues,” Frost said.

He also said he does not think “there have been any issues about not knowing what’s going on at this site,” despite the lack of updated records.

A conversation with the Champaign Public Works Department also revealed a lack of communication between Ameren and the city since 2023.

“I think it was 2023 that we asked for more information, but we haven’t heard back since that time,” Alex Nagy, Assistant City Engineer for Environmental, said.

He added that “there's no complaints or issues with communication,” and said “it’s very clear and open what they’re doing.”

Today, a Letter of No Further Remediation has been issued for one out of three parcels at the site. Ameren said required documentation for the remaining sites will be filed by the end of the year.

“Remedial Action Completion Reports are being prepared for the remaining parcels. These documents will be submitted to the Illinois EPA by the end of 2024,” Bretsch, said. “The Illinois EPA is expected to issue No Further Remediation Letters for the remaining parcels once they complete the review of our documents.”

Ameren can only receive NFR Letters for the two parcels once this documentation has been submitted, meaning it may take some time for work to be considered done at the site.

The letters would also address whether monitoring would need to continue.

“A lot of soil has been dug up at the site, so you’re dealing pretty much with residuals. It probably depends on this: what does the groundwater indicate now, is there still source material there,” Frost said. “If the remedy is engineered borders and a groundwater ordinance, then there is still some monitoring to make sure there isn’t migration. That would all be outlined in an NFR.”

Ameren may move to involve the community in next steps, like whether or not to sell the lot or transform the space for neighborhood use. According to the EPA, however, this community involvement is not a requirement on Ameren’s part.

As for the City of Champaign, Nagy said oversight on this project has not fallen to the wayside.

“We don't want any contamination in the city anywhere. We can't help that the pace and the process is up to Ameren, how quickly they're moving on this, but yes, It is a priority for the city of Champaign,” Nagy said.

The 5th and Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign has said that regardless of next steps, the community should have a say in any economic development plans.