DEP Disapproves Final Cleanup Report On Dozens Of Chemicals At The American Refining Group Bradford Refinery In McKean County For Not Meeting Cleanup Standards

On May 15, the Department of Environmental Protection disapproved an Act 2 Land Recycling Final Report on the remediation of soil and groundwater contamination from dozens of chemicals at the American Refining Group, Inc. Refinery in Bradford, McKean County.

DEP said the report did not demonstrate attainment of the Site-Specific Act 2 Land Recycling Standard, one of three cleanup standards in the Land Recycling Program.

DEP reported the action in a formal notice in the June 1 PA Bulletin. (PA Bulletin, page 3089)

This action follows an initial disapproval of an Act 2 Land Recycling Risk Assessment Report by DEP on December 21, 2023 for almost the same chemicals at the same facility.  Read more here.

Disapprovals of these technical documents are not all that common. The company will have an opportunity to address the deficiencies and resubmit the assessment.

Chemical Contaminants

The disapproved Final Report for the American Refining Group, Inc. Refinery covered these chemical contaminants--

-- Soil contamination included Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, Xylenes (total), Cumene (Isopropylbenzene), Methyl tert-Butyl Ether, Naphthalene, Trimethyl benzene, 1,2,4- (Trimethyl benzene, 1,3,4-), Trimethyl benzene, 1,3,5-, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Pyrene, Chrysene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Benzo(a)- pyrene, Benzo(g,h,i)perylene.

-- Groundwater contamination included Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, Xylenes (total), Cumene (Isopropylbenzene), Methyl tert-Butyl Ether, Naphtha- lene, Trimethyl benzene, 1,2,4-(Trimethyl benzene, 1,3,4-), Trimethyl benzene, 1,3,5-, Phenanthrene, Pyrene, Chrysene for EU-6.

Regional DEP Contact

For more information on this action, contact the Environmental Cleanup & Brownfields Program, DEP Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335- 3481 by calling the general office number-- 814-332-6945 or “Bill” at 814-332-6671 [according to the PA Bulletin notice, page 3089].

Visit DEP’s Land Recycling Program webpage to learn more about this program.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - May 25 to 31 - Shale Wastewater Pipeline Spill; Drill Cuttings Violations; More Abandoned Conventional Wells  [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - June 1 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Posted 62 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 1 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

-- Week 10: Illegal Dumping Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Continues Unabated On Paved, Dirt Roads, Before It Rains, It Doesn’t Matter In Warren County  [PaEN]

-- The Derrick: PUC Judge Orders 7 Rhodes Estate Water Companies To Secure Counsel For Hearings On Their Future [More Fallout From Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill In Venango County]  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Research Traced Radioactive Radium In Freshwater Mussels To Oil & Gas Wastewater  [PaEN] 

-- Protect PT Hosts 4 Virtual Workshops On How To Protect Yourself If You Live Near Shale Gas Facilities Starting June 11 [PaEN] 

-- Evangelical Environmental Network, Partners Host June 5 Webinar On Pipeline Methane Leaks - Causes, Impacts, Solutions  [PaEN]

-- Center For Coalfield Justice June 13 In-Person Program On Air Pollution Hazards From Oil & Gas Sites, South Franklin Township Park, Washington County

-- DEP Disapproves Final Cleanup Report On Dozens Of Chemicals At The American Refining Group Bradford Refinery In McKean County For Not Meeting Cleanup Standards [PaEN] 

-- Protect PT Lunch & Learn Online Program - Frac-Enomics, Is It Worth It? Now On Demand  [PaEN]  

-- Natural Resources Defense Council Releases Recommendations To US DOE On LNG Gas Export Facility Impact Analysis  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Extends Temporary Air Quality Permits For Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County; Shell Said It Will Submit Full Title V Air Permit Application By June 21 Deadline  [PaEN]   

-- 50+ Appalachian Groups Call On US DOE To Suspend ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Project  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- The Energy Age Blog: Cecil Twp., Washington County Latest Township To Realize Current Gas Well Regulations Aren’t Enough To Protect People 

-- Farm & Dairy: Cecil Twp., Washington County To Add New Restrictions On Oil & Gas Drilling - Like Living With A Helicopter 100 Feet Over Your Head 24 hours A Day

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Working To Plug More Dangerous Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Conventional Well Owners - By Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny)

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Subsidiary Of PA Oil & Gas Waste Treatment Company Faces Mounting Pressure Over Radioactive Waste 

-- Inside Climate News: PA’s Fracking Wastewater Contains A ‘Shocking’ Amount Of The Critical Clean Energy Mineral Lithium 

--  WNEP: Coterra Energy Shale Gas Company Closing Facility In Susquehanna County, Laying Off 50+ Workers

-- PA Capital-Star/Capital & Main - Audrey Carleton: PA Gas Producers CNX Wants In On The Hydrogen Revolution

-- The Allegheny Front/WV Public Broadcasting: Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline Completion Delayed Again Due To Incomplete Pipeline Water Testing  

-- Delaware Currents: Gibbstown, NJ LNG Gas, Wyalusing LNG Gas Projects Show A Flicker Of Life

-- Reuters: EU Approves Law To Hit Gas Imports With Methane Emissions Limits To Cut Leaks In Gas Infrastructure 

[Posted: May 31, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

DEP Posted 62 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 1 PA Bulletin

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the June 1 PA Bulletin-- 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - June 1 [PaEN]

-- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 1 PA Bulletin inviting proposals for Clean Energy Campus generation and storage projects on 13 state-owned abandoned mine land sites of 50 acres or more totaling 1,850 acres.  Read more here.

-- The Public Utility Commission published notice in the June 1 PA Bulletin making available the final policy statement establishing guidelines for the use of electricity storage by electric distribution companies (EDC). Read more here.

-- The Environmental Hearing Board published notice in the June 1 PA Bulletin announcing Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. appealed the transfer by DEP of an NPDES Water Quality authorizing a discharge to Lost Creek from the Shenandoah Water Treatment Plant in West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County. EHB Doc. No. 2024-098-L

Permits

-- PNK P2, LLC - Construct 3 Warehouses: DEP invites comments on a Chapter 105 permit related to the construction of three warehouses located in Gregg Township, Union County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3073)

-- Interpower Alcon Partners, LP - Coal Waste-fired Power Plant: DEP invites comments on a RACT III Air Quality Permit revision for the facility located in Cambria Township, Cambria County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3069)

-- AdvanSix Resins & Chemicals LLC - Frankford Plant, 2501 Margaret St., Philadelphia: Philadelphia Air Management Services invites comments on proposed RACT III Air Quality Permit revision.  If requested, a hearing will be held on  July 18.  (PA Bulletin, page 3068)

Meetings

June 6-- Rescheduled for September 4. DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00 a.m. Visit the Board webpage for options to join the meeting remotely.  Contact: Peggy Scheloske mscheloske@pa.gov.  (formal notice)

June 18-- Rescheduled To July 24. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting.  Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30 a.m. Visit the Board webpage for options on joining the meeting remotely.  Contact: Michael Maddigan at mmaddigan@pa.gov or (717) 772-3609.  (formal notice)

PA Bulletin - June 1, 2024

Note: The Department of Environmental Protection published 62 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the June 1 PA Bulletin - pages  3044 to 3106.

Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit applications submitted in your community?  Notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations?  All through its eNotice system.  Click Here to sign up.

Related Tools ----------------------

Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.  

-- Allegheny County Health Department Public Comment Notices

DEP Proposals Out For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage

Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage

DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage

Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage

DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage

DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage

Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda [February 2024] - DEP webpage

[Posted: May 31, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

DEP Chesapeake Bay Update: PA's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Receives National Recognition For Collaboration, Partnerships

DEP’s latest Chesapeake Bay Program Update highlights the latest progress of many partners in achieving needed pollution reductions in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including national recognition of Bay Watershed Implementation Plan efforts.

National Recognition

The National Association of Environmental Professionals recognized Pennsylvania's. Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan with its 2024 Environmental Excellence Award highlighting the extensive, collaborative and ongoing effort among Pennsylvania state and local partners.

Jill Whitcomb, Director of DEP's Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management was presented with the award at the NAEP annual conference of more than 430 environmental professionals from across the nation.

“Thanks to our county and state action leaders, and the buy-in from private landowners and farmers, nutrient and sediment pollution is decreasing from Pennsylvania’s waters to the Chesapeake Bay at an accelerated rate,” said Whitcomb. “We appreciate the NAEP’s recognition of our collective efforts in Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 WIP breaks down the challenge of reducing nutrient and sediment pollution across the watershed by taking a local approach and focusing on state program action leaders working together with county and local stakeholders across 34 counties to create and implement Countywide Action Plans (CAPs).

CAP implementation comes with many benefits, financial resources, and technical assistance. Both the state and a diverse group of partners, working across the watershed, have dedicated funding for projects identified in county CAPs. 

As projects at the county level are completed, water quality improves, benefiting local residents and those living downstream.

Robust action by state government leaders and their partners has led to more funding, staffing and programs focused on helping counties meet their clean water goals. 

Commonwealth legislators, working with the governor, took historic action to provide funding for projects that reduce water pollution across Pennsylvania’s expansive Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

Staff across state agencies and program action leaders in agriculture, forestry, stormwater, and wastewater are distributing funds into programs that make measurable differences on the ground. 

“DEP engages with and empowers our local stakeholders, with grassroots efforts fueling improvements in local water quality," said Whitcomb. "Collaboration, communication, and coordination has allowed our partners to advance their local goals and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed."

Big changes in agency-level organization have improved the state’s ability to accomplish state-level work and support county-led efforts, which has resulted in strong partnerships, impactful projects, and measurably cleaner water across Pennsylvania’s Bay watershed.

Other Chesapeake Bay Program Updates

-- EPA Confirms Nutrient Reductions For PA’s 2023 Progress Year

-- EPA’s Evaluation Of PA’s 2022-23, 2024-25 Milestones Efforts

-- DEP Releases Land Application of Manure Management Manual Supplement

-- Funding Opportunities Now Open

-- Progress Reports from County Partners

Click Here to read the entire DEP Chesapeake Bay Program Update.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 

How Clean Is Your Stream?

The draft 2024 report has an interactive report viewer that allows you to zoom in to your own address to see if the streams near you are impaired and why.

Click Here to check out your streams.  Click Here for a tutorial on using the viewer.

Related Articles - Watersheds:

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Update: PA's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Receives National Recognition For Collaboration, Partnerships  [PaEN]

-- DEP Published An eNotice Saying The 2024 PA Integrated Water Quality Report Has Been Published As Final

-- Penn State Extension Watershed Winds Newsletter Highlights Student AgVenture Camp; Watershed Stewards Native Plant Kit; Pond Management; Rain Barrel Guy; Much More!  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Highlights Partnership Helping PA Communities Plant 2,500 Large Bare Root Trees; Woodland Health Practices Handbook; Chesapeake Stormwater Training  [PaEN]

-- USDA: Application Period Now Open For Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program Funding  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension: Woods & Wildlife News & Notes: May Forest Snapshot; Service Forester Assistance For Forestland Owners; Forest Education For Teachers, Youth Leaders  

NewsClips:

-- LancasterOnline: Conowingo Creek Restoration Serves As Model For Conservation  

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners: 2023 Year-In-Review

-- Lancaster Farming: PA Dairies Get $25 Million Boost for Climate-Smart Practices; Penn State Seeking 100 Farms To Receive Assistance 

-- Beaver County Times - Brian Whipkey: Fall Cankerworms Drop From Leaves Onto Homes, Cars, People In Southwest PA

-- Horn Farm Center For Agricultural Education Hosts 3-Part, In-Person Workshops On Mycology [Fungi & Mushrooms] In York Starting June 8

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Mussel Hatchery Produces More Juveniles, Thanks To New Discoveries

-- Inquirer: Philly’s Nursery-Grown Mussels Are Crucial To Cleaning Rivers, Local Scientists Just Made A Major Breakthrough 

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation - B.J. Small: Marvelous Macros - Tiny Aquatic Creatures With An Important Message 

-- WTAJ/AP: Researchers Find Tiny Organism Has Power To Reduce Persistent Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Farm Fields 

-- PennLive: Wiconisco Creek Anglers Assn. Organized 30+ Volunteers For Stream Cleanup In Dauphin County 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer, et al: Since 2020, 55 Million Square Feet Of Warehouse Space Have Reshaped Jobs, Traffic, Landscapes

-- Delaware RiverKeeper May 31 RiverWatch Video Report

-- US DOE, US Treasury, USDA Release Joint Policy Statement And Principles On Voluntary Carbon Credit Markets

[Posted: May 31, 2024]  PA Environment Digest