Coke Plant Left Behind Flammable, Hazardous Materials

The 100-year-old plant closed after it violated its probation in connection to a 2013 pollution conviction.

Tonowanda
Niagra Gazette, @Niagra Gazette

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the now-closed Tonawanda Coke plant in western New York left behind hazardous and flammable materials.

WKBW-TV in Buffalo reports the agency says the plant has potentially explosive substances stored onsite, hazardous substances discharged into the soil and improperly stored acids and solvents.

The 100-year-old plant closed Oct. 14 after it violated its probation in connection to a 2013 pollution conviction. It employed about 100 people.

The plant has filed for bankruptcy, and town officials say a potential buyer would assume 100 percent of the liability for any cleanup of the property.

The EPA says it will be at the site for several months collecting samples.

More in Operations