MPCA taking comments on plan for former Hibbing gas plant

HIBBING — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is collecting public comment on a plan to address contamination at the former Hibbing Gas Manufacturing Plant site.

The draft available for comment describes a plan aimed at removing free-phase coal tar, contaminated soil and below-ground infrastructure at the site.

The Hibbing Gas Manufacturing Plant operated as a municipal coal gasification plant from 1918 to 1923, a carbureted water gas plant from 1923 to 1946, and as a propane gas plant from 1946 to 1969, according to the MPCA.

The on-site buildings and above-ground infrastructure were torn down in 1980, and Hibbing Public Utilities is the present owner of the site.

The industrial processes left traces of toxic substances, including cyanide and benzene, in the soil, groundwater and surface water of a nearby wetland and stream.

The plan also includes measures to reduce potential exposure to surface water and sediment contamination.

Hibbing Public Utilities stated it has encouraged the PCA to remediate the site in a way that allows future redevelopment of the area.

"HPUC encourages interested parties to participate in the public comment process and any future public forums to ensure that community perspectives are fully considered in the final outcome," stated a Tuesday, June 9, news release from the utility.

The utility has worked with the state since the mid-1990s to list the site in the Minnesota Superfund program, which pays for the cleanup costs.

Comments will be accepted through the PCA comment portal through July 9.