Last of 30 Coke Ovens Shut Down
DEC Continues Rigorous Monitoring throughout Facility
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) continues to oversee the safe shutdown of operations at the Tonawanda Coke facility. The coke battery consists of 60 ovens, of which 30 remained in operation at the time of shutdown. On Monday, Oct. 15, the last of the remaining 30 ovens were fully emptied, marking the end of coke production at the facility.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “With the shutdown of the last 30 coke ovens at Tonawanda Coke, we are moving this community one step closer to being free of this facility’s billowing smokestacks. DEC will continue to oversee operations until the job is complete, monitoring every step of the shutdown of Tonawanda Coke, and advancing the cleanup of any contamination this facility leaves behind.”
The facility’s next steps include the continued purging of the extensive system of gas lines throughout the site, as well as cooling of the battery ovens. Shutdown operations will continue throughout the week.
DEC continues to closely monitor every aspect of the shutdown to ensure the community and the environment are protected. As the shutdown of operations is concluded, DEC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be on-site to assess environmental conditions and address both the short- and long-term investigation and cleanup of contamination at the site. DEC will continue to provide information and regular updates to the public on the progress of the shutdown and cleanup of the site. |
