CHICAGO — The state of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against a Delaware company following a 200,000-gallon oil leak from the company's storage tank in Downstate Granite City, according to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
The lawsuit stems from GFL Environmental Services USA Inc.'s (GFL) oil leak earlier this month and reached nearby property, Granite City's waste water treatment plant and sewer canal which flows into the Mississippi River, the Attorney General's Office said.
“This leak resulted in a significant amount of used oil being released, jeopardizing public health and the local environment,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement. “I am asking the court to ensure that the company continues to clean up the contamination and the surrounding environment.”
“We look forward to working closely with the Attorney General’s Office on a full investigation of this incident,” added Illinois EPA acting director John Kim. “This action will ensure that the full scope of the contamination is identified and remediated to protect the community and residents from any further impacts.”
Raoul also filed a motion for preliminary injunction against GFL and has entered an agreed injunction order requiring GFL to investigate the site, damage and required cleanup. GFL must also submit a report regarding the causes of the leak and the measures it will put in place to prevent future leaks and spills, Raoul's office said.