Accusations of excessive toxic emissions by Tonawanda Coke were played out in federal court on Friday. A representative with the Environmental Protection Agency testified that a bleeder valve was releasing far greater amounts of pollutants, including benzene, than the company was reporting. Tonawanda Coke is facing 19 felony counts, many of which fall under clean air guidelines. Particulate emissions from cooling towers and the storage of coal tar sludge are also issues that have brought the company under scrutiny.
Tonawanda Coke is fighting the charges.
