Beemsterboer Slag Corp. and Illinois Attorney Lisa Madigan have entered into an agreed order on dust issues surrounding the storage and handling of petroleum coke (petcoke) at bulk storage facilities located along the Calumet River in Chicago.
The agreed order essentially tracks with work the company said it voluntarily initiated weeks ago for the removal of material from the facility. The company also stopped accepting more orders for petcoke and is drawing down the remaining material at the facility while awaiting permit reviews from the state.
“We are a family-run business operating in the community for generations,” said Alan Beemsterboer, secretary and treasurer of Beemsterboer Slag, in a Dec. 19 statement. “This Agreed Order helps continue our strong record of compliance with the State and our reputable work in the community as corporate neighbors.”
Beemsterboer does have a permit for coal handling at its East 106th Street facility and has been in full compliance with the permit for years, passing annual inspections by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. In November 2013, the company filed for air permits related to petroleum coke following an internal review of records.
The Attorney General filed a complaint against Beemsterboer in Cook County Circuit Court on Nov. 21. The Attorney General has also filed complaints against BP and KCBX Terminals Co.
Beemsterboer Slag is a fourth-generation family owned business operating bulk storage facilities for slag aggregate, coal, and salt in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana regions for 70 years.
