EPA, NY DEC Investigate Equipment Failure at Tonawanda Coke
04/02/2010 - The U.S. EPA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are investigating equipment failure at Tonawanda Coke that triggered an emergency flare this week to prevent the release of potentially harmful gas.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are investigating equipment failure at the Tonawanda Coke Corp. facility outside Buffalo, N.Y. The equipment failure triggered an emergency flare this week to prevent the release of potentially harmful gas.
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The coke oven gas, which is generated when coal is heated at high temperatures, contains benzene, ammonia and other hazardous pollutants.
Excessive exposure to benzene is a known cause of cancer.
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Since the incident, Tonawanda Coke has taken steps to repair the malfunctioning equipment, and the plant is slowly returning to normal operations.
“EPA is concerned that this incident appears to be a repeat instance of equipment failure at the Tonawanda facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. “This situation speaks to the critical need for facilities to have properly functioning backup systems in place and working. People living and working in the area deserve to feel confident that this facility is properly operated and maintained and is not causing risks to their health.”
DEC representatives immediately responded to the scene to investigate the nature of the release and ensure appropriate safety measures were in place. As DEC representatives continue to monitor the situation, EPA is working with the state to determine whether any federal or state environmental laws were violated.
“Our staff is committed to taking the necessary measures to reducing emissions from this plant,” said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. “We will continue to monitor the Tonawanda facility and work with our EPA partners to protect air quality in the community.”
EPA and DEC issued several enforcement actions to Tonawanda Coke earlier this year for various environmental violations.
“EPA is concerned that this incident appears to be a repeat instance of equipment failure at the Tonawanda facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. “This situation speaks to the critical need for facilities to have properly functioning backup systems in place and working. People living and working in the area deserve to feel confident that this facility is properly operated and maintained and is not causing risks to their health.”
DEC representatives immediately responded to the scene to investigate the nature of the release and ensure appropriate safety measures were in place. As DEC representatives continue to monitor the situation, EPA is working with the state to determine whether any federal or state environmental laws were violated.
“Our staff is committed to taking the necessary measures to reducing emissions from this plant,” said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. “We will continue to monitor the Tonawanda facility and work with our EPA partners to protect air quality in the community.”
EPA and DEC issued several enforcement actions to Tonawanda Coke earlier this year for various environmental violations.
