E.P.A. Suggests to Add Wilcox Oil Location in Creek Co., OK, to National Priorities List of Superfund Sites

(Dallas - May 21, 2013) Today the E.P.A. (EPA) announced it suggests to add the Wilcox Oil Company location in Creek County, Oklahoma, to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites, a list of sites that pose risks to people's health and the environment. Superfund is the federal plan that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.

The site, about 35 miles southwest of Tulsa, consists of the former Lorraine and Wilcox Refinery. The 2 companies operated refineries and associated facilities on the property from 1915 to 1965. The 125-acre location includes remnants of the former oil refining operations and tank farms. Contaminants at the location include metals-mainly lead-and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, a group of chemicals found in crude oil that might cause cancer or reproductive and skin effects.

"Cleaning up severely contaminated sites is one of EPA's most important priorities," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "By restoring these properties we're protecting people's health and helping to revitalize the community's land and economy."

Adding the Wilcox Oil location to the NPL will allow for extensive cleanup of contamination. The E.P.A. will seek public review on adding the location to the NPL for 60 days and consider any comments received as it makes a final decision.

Since 1983 E.P.A. has listed 1,685 sites on the NPL. In addition to the Wilcox site, 8 other sites around the country were also suggested to be added to the list.

More information about the National Priorities List: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/

More information about E.P.A. Region 6: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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