DEP Extends Comment Period On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order For Penn State Benner Township PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contamination Site In Centre County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 11 PA Bulletin extending the comment period seven days to February 12 on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order and Agreement with Penn State University on the cleanup of PFAS ‘forever chemical’ contamination in Benner Township, Centre County.  (PA Bulletin, page 418)

The contamination was the result of the use of fire-fighting foam containing PFAS chemicals at the State College Regional Airport that resulted in groundwater pollution.

DEP’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program (HSCP) staff began their investigation in 2019 following the detection of PFAS above the EPA Health Advisory Level (HAL) at a public water system located on High Tech Road across Fox Hill Road, to the north from the SCRA.

Subsequent sampling identified that the plume had impacted not only businesses along the industrial park on High Tech Road, but also residential water supply wells located mainly south of the SCRA.

As per DEP’s Statement of Decision, published on October 12, 2022, DEP  provided an alternative water supply, first in the form of bottled water, and then Point of Entry Treatment Systems to any residences within the investigation area having detections above relevant State and Federal groundwater standards for PFAS.

Under the proposed agreement, Penn State University has agreed to pay DEP $564,767.29 to resolve a portion of its environmental response cost liability at the site.

The proposed Consent Order is available for public review on DEP’s Benner Township PFAS Investigation webpage.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for instructions on how to submit comments and more background. (PA Bulletin, page 418)

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

[Posted: January 10, 2025]  PA Environment Digest