Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A – Nicor Gas and ComEd (the Utilities) are proactively investigating and working to clean up the former Aurora MGP to current environmental standards by participating in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) voluntary Site Remediation Program. The Utilities have investigated soil and groundwater conditions at the Aurora MGP, as well as in adjacent roads, parks and the west branch of the Fox River. The Utilities also have completed several activities to remove MGP-related residuals.

A – Additional phases of the cleanup project are currently being planned. Information about the next phases will be provided on this website as the plans are developed.

A – Prior to the mid-1900s, MGPs provided gas for lighting, cooking, heating and industrial applications. The Aurora Manufactured Gas Plant was active from approximately 1868 until 1925 to provide gas for lighting, heating and cooking. MGP operations were located on the west bank of the Fox River (on both the east and west sides of River Street) and on the north portion of Hurds Island. After full-time gas production ceased in 1912, portions of the facility were retained through 1925 to help supply gas during peak demand. An above-ground gas holder was built on the northern portion of Hurds Island in the 1920s.

A – Gas production created byproducts such as ashes, cinders and tar. Tar was typically stored in underground structures at plant sites and sold for use in road paving, roofing materials and other commercial products.

A – Tar and other MGP-related residuals can contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as naphthalene; volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene and toluene; and metals and other inorganic materials. PAHs are commonly found in the environment, because they form as a result of combustion, such as from vehicle exhaust. VOCs are often found in fuels and solvents. More information about these compounds is available from the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry web site: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp.

A – Residuals, including tar, were found both on site and in areas adjacent to the MGP site. PAHs and VOCs associated with MGP-related residuals have been detected in soils, sediment and groundwater. Because the impacts are beneath the ground and are covered in vegetation, asphalt and/or structures, people are not in contact with them. The City’s drinking water is not affected since its water supply wells are much deeper than impacts from the former MGP and the Fox River intake system is upstream of the site.

A – Work to clean up impacts at the Aurora MGP and nearby areas is underway. In 2016 the Utilities completed a cleanup on the Storeroom Facility property located at 421 S. River Street. The cleanup of the East Facility property located at 424 S. River Street and the adjacent block of River Street was completed in 2019. Soil, tar and other residuals from historic gas operations were removed and transported to an approved landfill for disposal. The excavation was backfilled with clean material to restore the properties.

A – Because the impacts are beneath the ground and are covered by vegetation, asphalt and/or structures, people are not in contact with them. The City’s drinking water is not affected since its water supply wells are much deeper than impacts from the former MGP and the Fox River intake system is upstream of the site.

A – The project is being conducted in cooperation with, and with oversight by, Illinois EPA through its voluntary Site Remediation Program. The Illinois EPA reviews, evaluates and approves actions and reports associated with the project. For more information on the Illinois EPA’s role in the Aurora MGP Environmental Cleanup Project, please contact Rodolfo Alanis at 847-553-9251 or rodolfo.alanis@illinois.gov.

A – This website will updated periodically to include additional information on the site for the duration of the project. The Santori Public Library, 101 S. River Street, has a collection of documents about the project. If you have questions about the Aurora MGP Environmental Cleanup Project, please email the project team at info@aurorasite.info, click here or call Kevin Gadzala, Nicor Gas Regional Manager, Community Affairs, at 224-227-5594.