By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The US Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Tonawanda Coke to clean up pollution at the River Road processing facility or face federal action.
For three years, a group of Tonawanda residents fought to prove the River Road plant was spewing toxins into the air. Their efforts finally got the attention of both the EPA and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. In December, the plant's manager was arrested. And now the EPA is ordering the plant to clean up pollution in the air and on the ground.
Judith Enck is regional administrator for the EPA. She says the plant owner, JD Crane, could face stiff fines and other actions if he refuses to comply.
The orders come after months of inspections by both the EPA and DEC. They found that the plant emits unsafe levels of ammonia and benzene into the air. The plant also was told to clean up its sludge processing and waste water run-off.
The plant was ordered to do further air sampling. If benzene levels prove it to be a major source of the toxin, the plant could face additional penalties under the Clean Air Act.
WBFO has made numerous attempts to talk to the plant owner since concerns first emerged. A company employee Thursday said Crane still has no comment.
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