EPA Orders Cleanup Of Oil Spill In South Suburb
CHICAGO (STMW) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday announced an order setting deadlines for completion of cleanup and restoration work where an oil pipeline spill was discovered Tuesday near south suburban Lockport.
The pipeline, which is owned by West Shore Pipe Line Co. and operated by Buckeye Pipe Line Co. L.P., released about 21,000 gallons of oil near New Avenue in Lockport and Romeoville Tuesday, according to a release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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The EPA order requires West Shore and Buckeye to take immediate action to contain, remove and restore areas where oil spilled, the release said. The affected area is near wetlands home to several endangered species, the release said.
The EPA is also monitoring air quality to assess any potential impacts on the health and safety of workers and residents, according to the release.
A passerby noticed the leak at 7:06 a.m. Tuesday just south of 135th Street on New Avenue, according to Rich Berndt, Lockport Township Fire Protection District Director of Fire Prevention. Will County Sheriff's police said a 12-inch pipeline going into the Citgo Refinery had been leaking.
The leak was stopped within 15 minutes but crews remained at the scene for hours continuing clean-up efforts, Berndt said.
He said there was no safety concern for residents near the leak.
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