Potentially excess contaminants at former PES refinery site

摘要

Now that the sale of site that housed Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)'s defunct 335K-b/d refinery in Philadelphia, PA (US) to Hilco Redevelopment Partners has been approved, concerns are being raised about potential ground water contamination at the property after Hilco announced plans to use the location for mixed-used development. According to documents reviewed by The Inquirer, the land likely contains excess levels of hazardous chemicals caused by crude being stored, refined, and shipped on the land over a century and a half ago. According to reports compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Evergreen Resources Group, the site has levels of compounds, such as cancer-causing benzene, that exceed limits permitted for nonresidential property. Other documents show that at least a dozen hazardous chemicals have likely leaked into the ground and aquifers.