The remediation project being conducted by Ameren at the CIPS Superfund Site has been halted due to odors coming from the site.  The Illinois EPA received complaints from residents of Taylorville regarding work being done.  EPA visited the site on Friday, September 29th, after receiving the complaints, and returned on Monday, October 2nd, and Wednesday, October 4th after receiving additional odor complaints.  

Illinois EPA formally requested, and Ameren agreed, to immediately shut down the ISS pilot project which has been stopped in accordance with a December 27th, 1993 consent decree addressing contamination at the site.  The stoppage will continue until the Illinois EPA has time to review and evaluate air monitoring data that has recently been submitted to the Agency.  If any odors continue, Ameren CIPS is required to undertake any necessary actions to address those odors to the extent possible.  

The Ameren Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS) Superfund Site is located at 917 South Webster Street in Taylorville (Christian County). The site is approximately 1.2 acres and along with two adjacent parcels also owned by Ameren make up an area of approximately 20.8 acres. The three parcels are subject to an Environmental Covenant (EC) with the Illinois EPA, restricting disturbance of soil and use of groundwater for potable purposes within the EC Area. The Site lies in a residential area adjacent to Manners Park. The site was designated as a "State-lead" enforcement case with Illinois EPA as the lead agency and United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Region 5 as support agency.

The Illinois EPA and Ameren are considering remedial alternatives to finish cleanup of the site and achieve Remedial Action Objectives. The existing pump and treat system, while effectively removing most of the groundwater contamination, would take an estimated 100 years or longer to meet the Illinois Groundwater Quality Standards. 

For this reason, the Illinois EPA is proposing additional remedial action to render the site usable in a more reasonable timeframe. The current preferred remedial alternative, pending public comment, is in situ solidification and stabilization (ISS). A public meeting was held on July 13, 2023 at the Taylorville Public Library. The Public Comment was open from July 5 – September 29. For additional information, please visit the CIPS Taylorville Site Fact Sheet by clicking here.