Environmental Cleanup Information for the Rochelle Manufactured Gas Plant in Rochelle, Illinois
Rochelle MGP
Environmental studies were conducted in areas where historical maps indicated gas operations had taken place. The studies found remnants of MGP structures below ground and have confirmed the presence of MGP residuals in soil and groundwater. Various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals and other inorganic materials were detected in soil and groundwater. Because the MGP residuals are beneath the ground and are covered by asphalt, people are not in contact with them. The community’s drinking water supply is not affected.
Rochelle MGP Investigation Activities
The former manufactured gas plant (MGP) was active from 1906 to 1947 to provide gas for lighting, heating and cooking. MGP operations were located at 208 2nd Avenue. The MGP included above-ground oil tanks, tar wells, an oil and tar separator, and gas holders.
Rochelle Gas Company and Allied Gas Company owned the property before is was acquired by Nicor Gas in December 1965. The property is currently fenced and vacant.
History of the Rochelle MGP
Rochelle MGP Site Cleanup
Nicor Gas, in cooperation with the City of Rochelle, developed a cleanup plan to restore the property to current environmental standards. The Rochelle MGP Environmental Cleanup Project will begin in September 2025 and will last approximately one year.
MGP residuals and soils which exceed applicable Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) cleanup objectives will be removed using a combination of excavation methods. The remnants of below-ground structures and foundations will also be removed as part of this effort. After the cleanup objectives have been met, the excavation area will be backfilled with clean material and the property restored.
