Sen. Charles E. Schumer challenged the owner of the Tonawanda Coke Corp. on Tuesday to meet with community groups and listen to their concerns about harmful benzene and other chemicals coming from the Town of Tonawanda plant.

In a letter to J. D. Crane, owner of Tonawanda Coke, Schumer, D-N. Y., noted Crane’s recent dismissal in a letter to him of a state Department of Environmental Conservation study that showed emissions of the carcinogen benzene were up to 75 times higher than recommended guidelines.

“I find that your suggestion that the high benzene levels near the Tonawanda Coke plant are caused primarily by cars and trucks is not credible. Residents of the Town of Tonawanda and the surrounding area are experiencing numerous health problems potentially resulting from toxic benzene and other emissions from Tonawanda Coke,” Schumer wrote.

Schumer said Crane, who has a history of refusing to speak or meet with community groups, local politicians or the media, had a civic obligation to hear the concerns of residents.

“Community members in the Town of Tonawanda have repeatedly requested a meeting with you, and have yet to receive a response. This is unacceptable,” Schumer wrote. “As a valued member of the Tonawanda community, you, as the leader of Tonawanda Coke, have a responsibility to meet with and discuss problems with other community members so these issues can be addressed and resolved.”

Schumer’s letter followed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s announced plans Tuesday to speak later this week to the head of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency about concerns over benzene emissions at Tonawanda Coke.

“I continue to be deeply concerned about the air quality surrounding Tonawanda Coke,” Gillibrand told The News. “The study cited in Sunday’s Buffalo News showed alarming levels of carcinogens. . . [and] I plan to call EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson this week to urge swift action on this matter.”

Gillibrand, D-N. Y., also wrote Jackson in late July about her concerns.