Hunter
01/06/23
The Marengo company that suffered an explosion and fire last month may now be fined for failing to meet cleanup deadlines.
On December 8th, liquid solvent in a tank exploded and started a fire at C6-Zero that sent up to 15 people to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of injuries.
An emergency order December 15th gave C6-Zero until December 30th to submit a written report explaining sources of contamination and plan for cleanup. The order also stipulated that C6-Zero must implement all requirements of the plan within 45 days of the order.
The DNR says the deadline passed without a report, which was eventually filed on Tuesday. However, the company report indicates that the dates proposed for cleanup do not comply with the Emergency Order. The Department of Natural Resources says they have now referred the matter to the Attorney General’s Office for further legal action.
The company said in a statement Thursday that cleanup is ongoing. Mark Corallo, a C6-Zero consultant and spokesman, told the Gazette that C6-Zero has never indicated that it cannot meet the 45-day deadline. He added that while the company waits for DNR approval of their Site Assessment Plan, field data is being gathered to better understand the extent of contamination in the area.