 The fact sheet below
provides a brief summary of the site history, the historical
significance of former manufactured gas plant and the planned
environmental investigation at the site.
Fact sheet
The purpose of the investigation is to determine what areas of
the site, if any, may require remediation work to remove residues
that remain from the gas manufacturing process. The work will be
performed in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency as part of its Site Remediation Program.
What was a manufactured gas plant?
Before interstate pipelines made natural gas available in this
area, gas was manufactured using a variety of raw materials, most
commonly coal and oil. Manufactured gas, or "town gas," provided
energy for cooking, lighting, heating and industry. At one time,
more than 1,500 such plants operated in the United States.
Manufactured gas ceased to be a major energy source in Illinois by
the 1960s.
The primary byproduct of the manufactured gas process was coal
tar, which includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs,
and benzene. Potential environmental effects of coal tar and other
residues were not a concern when these plants closed. However,
today's environmental awareness means making sure byproducts from
past operations do not adversely affect the current environment.
What is known about the former MGP site?
The former Lincoln manufactured gas plant operated from
approximately 1873 to 1935. The site is the current location of the
city's street department.
[to top of second column]
 |
What type of work will be conducted?
The utilities will conduct an environmental investigation that
will take approximately four weeks to complete. ComEd has contracted
with an engineering firm experienced with manufactured gas plant
sites to collect soil and groundwater samples from the site. Several
trenches will be excavated to determine if any structures remain
below ground. Truck-mounted drilling devices will be used to collect
soil samples and install groundwater-monitoring wells. If residues
are uncovered at the site, it may produce odors. As a precaution,
the utilities will perform air monitoring throughout the process.
Follow-up after investigation
Soil samples will be sent to an independent laboratory for
analysis, and a report of the initial study will be prepared. The
report also will be submitted to the Illinois EPA for their review
and approval.
How can the community obtain more information?
ComEd and Nicor Gas are committed to keeping the community
informed. Copies of work plans and reports are available at the
front desk of the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St., Monday
through Saturday.
[Text from file received from
Commonwealth Edison] |
