There is a benzene pool that extends toward residential neighborhoods of South Philadelphia. In June 2019, PES reported fence line measurements of benzene above regulatory limits. What’s the situation? What corrective actions have been taken?

Dissolved benzene in groundwater (otherwise known as a benzene groundwater plume) is present at the former Philadelphia Refinery. The Remedial Investigation Reports summarize the benzene in groundwater that Evergreen has characterized as part of the Act 2 investigations. For example, the AOI 1 RIR presents details concerning benzene in groundwater along the eastern boundary of the former Philadelphia Refinery. These reports also summarize the interim remedial activities to address environmental impacts including groundwater and vapor remediation systems that exist along the property boundary on 26th Street. Part of the Act 2 processes include evaluating potential impact to offsite properties, including residences. These evaluations show that the dissolved benzene impacted groundwater beneath AOI 1 is not likely to migrate under nearby residential areas, and that there are no air impacts from the benzene groundwater plume to offsite properties. Evergreen prepared an overall summary slide of benzene in groundwater beneath the whole facility due to on-site and off-site sources for presentation during the November 2019 public meeting. The presentation is posted to this website. PES, as owner and operator of the facility, was required to report fence line measurements of benzene based on air emissions from PES’ operations. This air monitoring is unrelated to the subsurface benzene groundwater plume and Evergreen does not have the information to be able to address the portion of your question related to the 2019 PES reported fence line monitoring.