Illinois EPA Refers Modern Plating Corporation to Attorney General for Enforcement

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John J. Kim has referred an enforcement action to the Illinois Attorney General's office against Modern Plating Corporation located at 701 South Hancock Avenue, Freeport (Stephenson County). The referral cites violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board Regulations related to a release of hydrochloric acid at the facility.

On January 14, 2020, Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency contacted the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to report a gas or vapor cloud of hydrochloric acid that had been unintentionally released from a ruptured 5,500-gallon poly tank at the facility. The release was continuing at the time of the report. As a result of the release, emergency responders were alerted, and the facility was evacuated. Local residents to the north and east were alerted to shelter in place until the order was lifted at 10:00 p.m. that evening. Based on additional reports by the company, impacts from the release include 30 feet by 80 feet of soils and asphalt pavement as well as an adjacent ditch-line. An environmental contractor was hired to clean-up the release outside the building.

Illinois EPA responded to the scene on January 15, 2020 and observed surface liquid in a nearby field, requiring the contractor to take additional steps to protect the Pecatonica River and prevent off-site impacts. It is estimated that 4,800 gallons of 40-60 percent hydrochloric acid was lost when the bottom of the tank failed.

In the referral, the Agency cited numerous violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and asked the Attorney General to obtain an order enjoining the company to immediately address the release at the site, including appropriate remediation. Once immediate concerns are addressed, Illinois EPA requests that Modern Plating submit a plan to prevent a future reoccurrence.