News Releases - 2002

Director Cipriano Praises Reclamation Of BP Refinery Site In Wood River As Brownfields Showcase Project

Wood River, Ill. -- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano today praised the ongoing cleanup and redevelopment of the former BP/Amoco refinery site in Wood River as a national showcase example of a successful "brownfields" project.

Director Cipriano participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the American Commons retail and commercial development and the opening of the Deer Park wildlife habitat to the public.

"This refinery gave birth to Wood River and was its economic engine for 75 years. As a result of the remarkable team work between the private and public sectors,the site will again be a mainstay of the city's economy for years to come," Director Cipriano said.

She noted the site was designated last year by USEPA as one of only five RCRA Brownfield Pilot Projects in the nation. The site falls under the federal RCRA, or Resource Conservation Recovery Act requirements for addressing hazardous waste remaining on the site.

BP, the City of Wood River, site remediator and developer Rick Jones and the Illinois EPA have worked together to implement streamlined corrective action approaches and innovative environmental management techniques that protect the environment and human health while still providing the flexibility to focus on parts of the site with the highest redevelopment potential, Director Cipriano noted.

Illinois EPA has provided two "no further action" or "clean letters" for two parcels on the northeast and northwest corner of the refinery site.

Director Cipriano noted that under the administration of Governor George Ryan, Illinois has been a national leader in the clean up and redevelopment of potentially-contaminated abandoned industrial and commercial sites or "brownfields."

The Illinois EPA has provided grants or technical assistance for more than 300 brownfields sites across the state.

Related Information

• Brownfields Assistance Program