The site contains two refineries (at Point Breeze and Girard Point). What is the story for each refinery?

While the question is a bit open-ended and capable of multiple interpretations, we interpret this question to be generally inquiring about the ownership history of the two refineries. As specified on the website, Point Breeze (which includes AOIs 1, 2, 3 4, and 8) was formerly owned by Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and purchased by Atlantic Refining & Marketing Company in 1985 and Sunoco subsequently... read more

The logistical infrastructure moves petrochemicals across the site. Where are the pipelines, pumps, storage tanks, and intakes/offtakes located (on a map)? What dangers do each pose?

The features related to petroleum operations that were included in Evergreen’s Act 2 or Chapter 245 (Tank Act) investigations are included in the figures in the RIRs, and the associated environmental impacts are summarized in these reports. Also note that operations have been shut down and we expect that most infrastructure will likely be removed as part of the... read more

The site contains several rail facilities (North Yard, West Yard, etc.). What are the conditions at rail terminals and along rail tracks?

The rail facilities are located in AOI 5 and AOI 8. Installation of these rail facilities occurred after the property transfer to PES. Therefore, conditions near these lines resulting from their operation would not be part of Evergreen’s investigations. However, the environmental conditions characterized as part of the Act 2 investigations, which included the areas below and around the current rail areas, are... read more

Have you considered remediating with bacteria? Or mycelium? We understand they’re both more affordable options.

Evergreen has considered and will continue to consider various remedial options at each area of proposed remediation. Remedial options must consider a number of factors, including but not limited to logistics, utilities, subsurface flow conditions, chemistry, nature and extent of the contamination, nutrient availability, etc. Bioremediation technologies, not specifically mycoremediation, have been/are utilized in... read more

Why is Evergreen’s site-specific Lead standard (2240 ppm) so much higher than the state standard (1000 ppm)?

The PADEP’s Non-Residential Medium Specific Concentration (MSC) was derived using the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH) model (Wixson, 1991). Since that time, the PADEP has endorsed the use of alternative uptake biokinetic models for the evaluation of lead toxicity including the Bower model (Bowers et al., 1994) for non-residential site uses. The USEPA adapted the Bowers et al. model to... read more

What is the quality of the water discharged from the Pollock St well system into the Schuylkill?

Groundwater collected from the Pollack St well system is not discharged directly to the Schuylkill River. Groundwater discharged from any remediation system is either processed through the facility’s wastewater treatment plant which operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit held by PES or discharged to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) sewer system via a Groundwater... read more

Should the groundwater remediation systems that were discontinued be restarted? If not, why not? If so, when will that happen?

Various remediation systems historically have been discontinued generally when the remedial goals are complete or where the technology is no longer the most appropriate. Each remediation system is discussed in its associated Remedial Investigation Report. Any proposed additional systems, remedial goals and associated monitoring will be included in future Act 2 reports such as the Risk Assessment and the Cleanup... read more

Two water filtration plants (at Girard Point and Point Breeze) treat groundwater before returning water to the Schuylkill River. How effective are these systems? What happens during heavy rains and floods?

The water treatment plants are run and operated by PES under a NPDES permit issued by the PADEP. Operation of the water treatment plant will be conducted by the new property owner. PES or the PADEP would be better able to respond to the question of how effective these systems are and what happens during heavy rains and... read more

Have you submitted draft cleanup plans to DEP? Can we receive a copy of the Cleanup Plan?

A draft Cleanup Plan has not been submitted to the PADEP. Remedial Investigations must be completed prior to submitting Cleanup Plans and other Act 2 reports that follow Remedial Investigations in the Act 2 process. Upon completion of Remedial Investigation Reports (RIRs) for each of the Areas of Interest, the subsequent Act 2 reports can then be submitted. The Cleanup Plan(s) will be prepared and submitted... read more