Act 2 is a voluntary cleanup program. However, Sunoco is obligated to cleanup the legacy contamination under the Act 2 cleanup program through enforceable legal agreements signed with PADEP, and Evergreen completes the cleanup on Sunoco’s behalf. Therefore, Evergreen’s participation is not voluntary nor does Evergreen characterize the remediation project as... read more
The 2015 Human Health Risk assessment Report [HHRA] assesses the exposure for non-residential populations. Fenceline measurements of chemicals such as benzene are above regulatory limits. What health risk assessments have been done for nearby residential populations and are these publicly available?
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
The 2015 HHRA report was completed specifically to assess lead exposure in soils to site workers. Fenceline measurements of benzene occurred as an operational task required by the EPA because it was an operating refinery at the time, and therefore, monitoring was done by PES. Evergreen is responsible for potential impacts from contamination at or below the ground surface, so that is our focus. We evaluate... read more
When will the areas be sampled that have not been sampled before because the refineries had been operating and when will that data be made public?
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
There are some areas under the old process units that weren’t accessible or where it wasn’t safe for us to drill or dig because of ongoing operations. Once those units have been dismantled and the areas are accessible, Evergreen will go out and do additional sampling. Evergreen has not been provided with the planned schedule of demolition of the unit areas. However, the sampling will be performed immediately... read more
Of particular concern are impacts to living species in the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers: – Persisting water quality problems stemming from site pollution (including sedimentation) that enters surface water through stormwater runoff and other pathways. These problems include low Dissolved Oxygen that impinges on fish and other aquatic life, hydrocarbons such as benzene and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), along with other legacy pollutants that harm species and their habitats – Endangered species (i.e., Atlantic Sturgeon and Shortnose Sturgeon, both of which are federally endangered); both of these sturgeon species are greatly imperiled and use this part of the tidal Schuylkill and the tidal Delaware – Fish and fishlife and other vulnerable species such as mussels and migratory fish, known to live and utilize the river.
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
If contamination affects certain sensitive ecological receptors, such as threatened and endangered species, it must be addressed in the cleanup. This can be accomplished through a risk assessment or remedial measures. An ecological risk assessment that evaluates the ecological receptors that would be in the Schuylkill and on site has been completed already and will be submitted through the Act 2 process upon... read more
1) I’m worried about Hydrofluoric acid or HF because if it gets into the neighborhood and someone throws a cigarette and it hits it, the whole neighborhood will blow up causing massive casualties. 2) Another concern I have is about Butane because this is the second large chemical in there this is lighter fluid and if it’s the right pressure and temperature then this will blow up also, this was the gas that blow up in the first place and if this was in a neighborhood it would be like a nuclear bomb exploded. 3) Another concern I have is about nickel carbonyl because nickel carbonyl is very toxic and can cause chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and lung and nasal cancer if breathed in.
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
These comments refer to chemicals used in petroleum refining processes and concerns with potential gas phase/ambient air conditions. Evergreen cannot address concerns regarding use of these chemicals as Evergreen is responsible solely for contamination in the subsurface and from releases prior to... read more
Question from TASC Public Meeting: What was the impact of the recent hurricane on the ongoing remediation processes? [Evergreen note: the TASC Meeting took place in October 2020] Were any of the water treatment processes overwhelmed and were there any discharges into the River?
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
Evergreen has not observed any impact by heavy storm on our remediation processes at the site. Evergreen is unaware of conditions with facility wastewater treatment plants or discharges, as those are facility... read more
To what extent will you be using bioremediation technology?
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
Evergreen is currently using a form of biotechnology at the site for interim remedial activities. We have two biofilters on site, which take the vapors pulled out of the sewers and treat them through those filters. Bioremediation technology is not currently used to treat any groundwater. Most systems onsite currently are in place to prevent migration of contaminants to receptors such as sewers or property... read more
Remove all of the lead, we deserve a space that is safe to work and play in.
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
Act 2 includes procedures to allow for the reuse and development of a site while maintaining safety of the community, environment, and workers on site. This is inherently the purpose of Act 2. Evergreen will evaluate how best to do this through remediation, pathway elimination, modeling, risk assessment, and engineering and institutional controls to make sure that the workers and people of the community are safe,... read more
Conventional land remediation consists of capping the contaminated soil with tarp and/or concrete; or hauling the soil someplace else. Capping ignores the problem for a few decades at most, until chemicals leach out. In this case, into the Delaware River. Hauling the soil elsewhere just pushes the problem of leaching onto another bioregion. Neither of these methods is true remediation since we’re either burning, burying, or relocating the contamination. Eco-remediation is the most cost effective method of remediating soil and water, per figure 98 in “Mycelium Running, Paul Stamets.
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
Evaluation of current and potential remedial options is ongoing. Cleanup Plans will be submitted upon completion of all Remedial Investigation activities, which will consist of identification and evaluation of remedial alternatives, selection of proposed remedies, and plans for the development, construction, and initial operation of the proposed remedy and/or documentation of interim remedial actions already in... read more
What questions has Skeo asked to Evergreen? Were the answers received satisfactory? What unanswered questions does Skeo have for Evergreen? [Question refers to a question asked of EPAs contractor that reviewed past Act 2 reports per their TASC program]
Posted by Tiffani Doerr & filed under .
Skeo has not asked Evergreen any specific questions about the RIRs. Evergreen has reviewed the Q&A that was part of Skeo’s report and has included any questions that were included in Skeo’s report that were not subsequently asked to Evergreen, as described in Section... read more