Apex ordered to do $150 million clean-up

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- Apex Oil Co. is to clean up extensive contamination at its former refinery in Hartford, Ill., an effort that could cost $150 million, officials said Tuesday.

Apex was ordered to clean up the soil and groundwater contamination Monday by Chief U.S. District Judge David Herndon Monday, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement.

"This court ruling represents a victory for the environment and for the people of Hartford," said Ronald Tenpas, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "It requires a major polluter to clean up the mess it made, and dedicated professionals from (the Environmental Protection Agency) will oversee the project."

The statement said soil and groundwater beneath Hartford has been contaminated with more than 1 million gallons of leaded gasoline and other petroleum products from refinery and pipeline leaks and spills.

The contamination has forced residents to evacuate their homes when vapors emanating from the contamination seeps inside.

The Justice Department sued Apex Oil in 2005 after the company refused to assist with that cleanup effort. Apex Oil is the legal successor to Clark Oil and Refining Corp., which owned a refinery next to the Village of Hartford from 1967 to 1988.