‘It is paramount that Chemtool is held responsible’: Court order lays framework for Rockton fire cleanup

From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new court order lays the framework for Chemtool to cleanup after a massive fire last summer and reimburse emergency responders for their costs.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley announced the agreed interim and preliminary injunction order on Monday in their lawsuit against Chemtool.

A massive fire broke out at the grease and lubricants manufacturing facility on June 14, 2021, and it burned for several days.

“As the cleanup and investigation of this fire continue, it is paramount that Chemtool is held responsible for the damage that has been caused,” Hanley said in a news release. “I continue to be grateful for the work of the Illinois EPA and Attorney General Raoul to ensure this process continues to prioritize the protection of area residents and our environment.”

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The court order contains several provisions that seek to require Chemtool to safely manage remaining contaminants and bring the site into compliance with Illinois’ environmental laws.

“The order will ensure the cleanup process occurs in accordance with the law and holds Chemtool responsible for investigating the full extent of the environmental damage that has been caused,” Raoul said in a news release. “Given the volume of hazardous materials involved in the fire and the amount of debris, it is vital that cleanup and remediation is done in accordance with environmental laws for the health and safety of all Rockton-area residents.”

Chemtool will be required to present and gain approval of a plan to address, identify, store and properly dispose of all remaining chemical products. The order also requires weekly documentation of how waste materials are removed, as well as how daily inspections of the site are conducted. Chemtool must also prepare a schedule for demolition and decontamination of the site and a plan for the investigation of all on- and off-site impacts of the fire, including those to groundwater and private drinking water wells.

Under the order, Chemtool must also reimburse Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Winnebago County for their costs in responding to the six-alarm fire, which caused explosions inside the factory and forced evacuations of area residents.

“These orders will serve as a detailed roadmap for the long road to recovery for the community of Rockton following the massive explosion that occurred more than ten months ago,” Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim said in the news release. “The events of June 14, 2021, have had a lasting impact on area residents and officials and required hundreds of staff-hours for emergency responders and environmental officials. Our staff continues to monitor clean-up efforts at the site, and we believe these orders are an important step to bringing closure to this devastating incident.”

According to Raoul and Hanley’s lawsuit, filed on July 9, the fire released ash, debris and other contaminants into the air, which landed on buildings, in residents’ yards and throughout the area.

Raoul and Hanley also allege that firefighting foam was found in the Rock River after a pump failure. They also say that debris, ash and other runoff from the fire was not properly disposed of, which poses environmental hazards. The lawsuit includes allegations of air and water pollution, creating a water pollution hazard and unauthorized waste disposal.

Raoul and Hanley allege that Chemtool is liable for damages and for the costs the state and Winnebago County have incurred in responding to the fire.

More than 4 million gallons of crude oil were stored at the Rockton facility, according to the state authorities. Raoul and Hanley allege that the large volume of petroleum product stored in containers that have been compromised by the fire pose a significant threat to land and the Rock River.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Ellen O’Laughlin and Assistant Attorney General Kevin Garstka are handling the case for the Illinois Attorney General’s Environmental Bureau. Civil Bureau Chief Lafakeria Vaughn is handling the case for the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s office.