New plan ordered for W.Va. aluminum site cleanup
EPA orders updated cleanup plan for former Century Aluminum site in West Virginia
RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. (AP) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is ordering Century Aluminum to update its cleanup plan for a former industrial facility in Ravenswood.
The federal environmental agency is overseeing cleanup at the site that was used for the storage and disposal of hazardous materials that were byproducts of aluminum production. Officials say soil and groundwater on the site is contaminated with cyanide, fluoride, lead, arsenic and other pollutants.
The cleanup work includes restoring contaminated groundwater to drinking water standards and controlling human and environmental exposure to hazardous wastes in the soil.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Century Spokesman Mike Dildine said the company has reviewed the finding and will comply with the corrective measures set forth in the consent order.
The company must develop a plan to identify specific locations where contaminants remain and put in place procedures and safeguards for any future construction or excavation in those areas. The plan must be approved by EPA and the West Virginia Department of the Environmental Protection.
Aluminum production began at the site in 1957. Century Aluminum shut down the aluminum production operation in 2009 due to the low demand but hopes to restart it.
