Chicago's environmental agency chief has expressed concerns that President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is abandoning its oversight of a major oily cleanup in the city's waterways. The EPA's decision to end its involvement in the cleanup, which involved a spill of almost half a million gallons of liquid asphalt into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, has raised eyebrows among local officials.
The state's environmental agency chief, James Jennings, stated that it is "troubling" for the federal agency to drop out of the process. The EPA initially ordered Petroleum Fuel and Terminal Co., which owns the plant responsible for the spill, to clean up the asphalt from the canal in April, citing potential harm to humans and wildlife.
However, now, Jennings claims that significant work has been completed to clean up the asphalt, but he also notes that "asphalt is still present" and "the oversight work required by the order remains necessary and incomplete." The state's environmental agency will continue to help federal officials with remediation, but the EPA needs to be the lead government body on the case until the work is completed.
In contrast, EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel wrote that the discharge no longer poses a substantial threat to public health or welfare. Vogel's decision has been met with criticism from local officials, who argue that the Trump administration is abandoning its cleanup responsibilities before the job is done.
The canal, which spans over 30 miles, was created in the early 20th century to reverse the flow of the Chicago River away from Lake Michigan, the city's drinking water source. The spill of liquid asphalt into the canal has had a significant impact on local wildlife, including baby ducks and water snakes that have required treatment.
The company responsible for the spill, Apex Oil Co., which owns Petroleum Fuel and Terminal, is still responsible for all the costs related to the EPA's removal of asphalt, according to the initial order. However, no dollar amount estimate has been made public so far.
Local officials are calling on the Trump administration to reconsider its decision, citing concerns about public and environmental health protection. The controversy highlights the challenges faced by local authorities in ensuring that federal agencies like the EPA effectively oversee cleanup efforts at the state level.
The state's environmental agency chief, James Jennings, stated that it is "troubling" for the federal agency to drop out of the process. The EPA initially ordered Petroleum Fuel and Terminal Co., which owns the plant responsible for the spill, to clean up the asphalt from the canal in April, citing potential harm to humans and wildlife.
However, now, Jennings claims that significant work has been completed to clean up the asphalt, but he also notes that "asphalt is still present" and "the oversight work required by the order remains necessary and incomplete." The state's environmental agency will continue to help federal officials with remediation, but the EPA needs to be the lead government body on the case until the work is completed.
In contrast, EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel wrote that the discharge no longer poses a substantial threat to public health or welfare. Vogel's decision has been met with criticism from local officials, who argue that the Trump administration is abandoning its cleanup responsibilities before the job is done.
The canal, which spans over 30 miles, was created in the early 20th century to reverse the flow of the Chicago River away from Lake Michigan, the city's drinking water source. The spill of liquid asphalt into the canal has had a significant impact on local wildlife, including baby ducks and water snakes that have required treatment.
The company responsible for the spill, Apex Oil Co., which owns Petroleum Fuel and Terminal, is still responsible for all the costs related to the EPA's removal of asphalt, according to the initial order. However, no dollar amount estimate has been made public so far.
Local officials are calling on the Trump administration to reconsider its decision, citing concerns about public and environmental health protection. The controversy highlights the challenges faced by local authorities in ensuring that federal agencies like the EPA effectively oversee cleanup efforts at the state level.
... i mean, thousands of gallons of liquid asphalt just got dumped into a major canal and now they're saying it's all done? nope, not so fast! there are still baby ducks and snakes affected by the spill and that's not something you can just 'wait it out' on. what about public health concerns? the epa needs to be leading this cleanup effort, not just winging it... state officials are right to call them out on it 
I'm literally confused why they need the fed agency's involvement but still gotta pay for it? 
Like, we get it, Trump doesn't wanna be bothered with it and save some cash 
... meanwhile who's gonna hold them accountable if something goes wrong again? 
& snakes too poor thing cant even swim properly... what about the people who live near the canal? have they been told whats going on? its like the EPA just walked away from a big mess and now its up to the state agency which isnt equipped to handle this on their own. plus theres no transparency on how much money is being spent to clean it up that's not right at all 
. And what's up with Anne Vogel saying the discharge no longer poses a threat? Hasn't she seen any of those adorable baby ducks or water snakes that were affected by the spill? 
.
. The fact that the EPA is stepping back from overseeing a major cleanup in Chicago's waterways is unacceptable 
. If the state's environmental agency takes over, it might not be enough, given the scale of the problem 
. The lack of transparency on the costs associated with the cleanup is also concerning