Raoul Takes Action to Require Cleanup Following Oil Spill in Lawrence County
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced his office filed a lawsuit against Indian Liberty LLC (Indian Liberty), an oil producer, over a significant release of crude oil from Indian Liberty’s Boyd Facility in Petrolia, Illinois.
“This leak resulted in a significant amount of crude oil being released, jeopardizing public health and the local environment,” Raoul said. “I am asking the court to ensure that the company continues to clean up the contamination and the surrounding area.”
Raoul’s lawsuit, filed in Lawrence County Circuit Court, alleges that on or around March 15, Indian Liberty discharged an estimated 250 barrels of crude oil and 1,000 barrels of saltwater brine, as reported by Indian Liberty to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The spill traveled more than 10 miles through the local water system, contaminating Muddy Creek, the Embarras River and the Wabash River.
Raoul’s lawsuit is based on a referral from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
“Illinois EPA referred this matter to the Attorney General’s office to swiftly address the environmental impacts resulting from operations at the Boyd Facility in Petrolia,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “The agreed interim order will ensure appropriate action will be taken to remediate impacted waters and soils as a result of this crude oil and saltwater brine release.”
In addition to the lawsuit, the court entered an agreed injunction order requiring Indian Liberty to continue employing an environmental consultant to contain and clean up the release. Indian Liberty must also submit a report describing what caused the spill and how the company plans to prevent future spills.
Attorney General Raoul’s Environmental Enforcement Division, which enforces civil environmental laws, has recovered millions of dollars from polluters and required companies to undertake environmental improvement projects in communities impacted by pollution. Raoul encourages residents to report environmental justice and other environmental concerns to his office by emailing ej@ilag.gov.
Assistant Attorneys General Kevin Bonin and Hector Lareau are handling the case for Raoul’s Environmental Bureau.
