Rockford Public Library Former Manufactured Gas Plant
Fact Sheet #3
March 2016
ComEd has conducted an environmental investigation at
the site of a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) at 215
North Wyman Street, in Rockford, Winnebago County,
Illinois, on the current grounds of the Rockford Public
Library (Illustration 1).
The purpose of ComEd’s investigation was to determine
if residues remain from the former MGP operations.
The work was conducted in cooperation with the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) as part
of the Site Remediation Program.
The Investigation
Beginning in February 2011, an environmental
consulting firm under contract with ComEd located
underground utilities and collected soil, soil-gas
samples and groundwater samples from the Rockford
Public Library property.
More recently, ComEd conducted a further environmental
investigation of subsurface conditions at and near the
library. The investigation detected the presence of MGP
residues in the soil and groundwater. However, soil-gas
results from below the concrete slab floor of the library
basement and soil and groundwater sampling results
showed that there are no unsafe concentrations or
exposures given the current use of the property. In
sum, the MGP residues in soil and groundwater pose no
threat to library patrons or staff.
Results of these investigations were presented in a site
investigation report reviewed and approved by the
Illinois EPA. The report is available to the public at the
Library.
Next Steps
Illustration 1. Rockford Public Library-Main Library
A Manufactured Gas Plant
Prior to the advent of natural gas service, manufactured
gas or “Town Gas” was produced locally to provide
fuel for lighting, cooking, and heating. One common
byproduct of the manufactured gas process was
tar, which was often stored in underground plant
structures. Gas manufacturing became obsolete as a
system of pipelines was established in the Midwest to
allow for the widespread use of natural gas.
The Site Background
The Rockford Gas Light and Coke Company operated
the former manufactured gas plant at the northeast corner
of North Wyman and Mulberry Streets from
approximately 1857 through 1898. Following
shutdown, most of the above-ground structures
associated with the gas plant operation were demolished.
The City assumed ownership of the property in 1902, and
construction on the Rockford Public Library was
completed in 1903. The property is currently owned and
occupied by the Rockford Public Library.
ComEd will continue to be in communication with the
Rockford Public Library and the City of Rockford
regarding future remediation of the site. As the project
progresses, ComEd and the Library will continue to
provide updates to the community.
For more information, please contact:
George Gaulrapp, ComEd External Affairs Manager,
(815) 490-2729, [email protected]
Gail MacMillan, ComEd Senior Remediation Project
Manager, (630) 437-4303, [email protected]
For information regarding Illinois EPA oversight of the
project, contact:
Todd Hall, Illinois EPA Bureau of Land, Remedial Project
Management Section, (217) 557-1409.