News Releases - 2002

Illinois EPA Seeks Further Investigation of Springfield Gasoline Release

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois EPA today asked the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to seek a court injunction requiring further investigation and corrective action of a gasoline leak in Springfield.

An Illinois EPA investigation that started Feb. 5 identified a release of gasoline and gasoline vapors from the Clark Retail Enterprises Inc. service station at 913 N. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield. The owner of a home near the station reported smelling heavy gasoline odors in the basement of her home. Clark’s consultants sealed the sump in the basement and installed a ventilation system to remove vapors from the home and direct them outdoors.

The investigation also indicated gasoline vapors getting into the sewer system potentially could be released into basements of other homes. IEPA Emergency Response Office investigators followed the sewer for about five blocks north of the station and noted significant gasoline vapors as far north as North Grand Avenue and Dirksen Parkway.

“Illinois EPA believes that the conditions in the sanitary sewer and home basement arising from the gasoline release will continue to present an imminent hazard until a permanent remedy is implemented and we have asked the Attorney General to seek a court order that will ensure a prompt and adequate response,” said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano.

A worker at the gasoline station reported that on the morning of Feb. 2, the impact valve on a fuel pump broke while a customer was pumping gasoline, causing a “geyser” of fuel to spill on the ground and an unknown quantity to seep into the soils under the fueling island area.

Illinois EPA has requested that Clark Retail Enterprises be required to investigate the full nature and extent of the impact of the release, including why the impact valve failed; sample the water in the sewer for petroleum product; conduct a survey of homes and other structures potentially impacted and provide adequate ventilation systems for structures impacted by the release. In addition, Illinois EPA is asking that the injunction require Clark to submit a proposed cleanup plan and schedule and implement it subject to Agency review and approval. The Agency has also asked the Attorney General to seek reimbursement from Clark for state costs incurred in investigating and responding to the gasoline release.