ONEOK FMGP - Emporia Site



Site Background


A manufactured gas plant operated at 220 Mechanic Street in Emporia, Kansas, from 1880 to 1927. Manufactured gas, used for home heating, lighting, and cooking, was made by heating coal in a low-oxygen environment and capturing and purifying the fumes; its use in the United States was gradually replaced by natural gas and electricity. The process created wastes such as tars and ammonia and sulfur compounds.

KDHE and Kansas Power and Light (now known as ONEOK) signed a Consent Order on October 7, 1994, to investigate and remediate a number of former manufactured gas plants (FMGPs); the Emporia FMGP site was added to the order in May 2005. Site investigation identified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds in soil and/or groundwater above KDHE's Risk-based Standards for Kansas (RSK) action levels.

ONEOK excavated more than 1,925 tons of contaminated soil and waste in October 2004, disposing of it at the Lone Mountain Facility (Oklahoma) Class 1 hazardous waste landfill. Some soil contamination remains because structures at the site prevented a complete excavation. The groundwater is not considered part of a potable aquifer because it does not yield enough water for use.

KDHE prepared a Draft Agency Decision Statement (ADS) for remedial action. This ADS identifies and defines the preferred remedial alternative to address soil contamination at the site. KDHE will select a final remedy for the site after reviewing and considering all information submitted during the 15-day public comment period that ran from October 8, 2012, through October 22, 2012. KDHE may modify the alternative or select another response action based on new information and/or public comments. All comments received by KDHE will be addressed by KDHE in the Responsiveness Summary Section of the Final ADS.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact:

Draft Agency Decision Statement, September 2012

Relevant Regulations