Residents of Delaware City assured of safety amidst toxic gas emission from refinery, affirm environmental control authorities.
The Delaware City Refinery, located in New Castle County, has been under scrutiny once again due to ongoing releases of sulfur dioxide above permitted levels. Owned by PBF Energy, the refinery has been emitting the toxic gas since the end of May, causing concern among local residents and environmental advocates.
In 2019, a fire at the refinery resulted in the emission of over 842 pounds of hydrocarbons, 592 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 438 pounds of carbon monoxide, 80 pounds of nitrogen oxides, and an additional 4,300 pounds of sulfur dioxide from flaring.
General Manager Michael Capone expressed regret about the recent mechanical failure and promised to improve communication with the public moving forward. However, residents remain skeptical and deeply concerned about the cumulative health impacts of ongoing pollution.
Jane Clougherty, a professor of environmental and occupational health, advises residents to keep their doors and windows closed and avoid rigorous outdoor activities due to ongoing sulfur dioxide emissions. Despite assurances from state environmental regulators (DNREC) that air quality monitoring tools indicate no public health threat, residents are calling for stronger enforcement and even refinery shutdowns.
The refinery has a history of violations, including three in just the past year. DNREC has been criticized for insufficient enforcement, with the refinery paying nearly $1 million in 2019 to resolve a backlog of unpaid fines. Advocates argue that there is still too much leniency toward the industry, allowing it to set its own timeline for compliance without economic consequences.
Environmental groups, such as the Clean Air Council and local advocacy groups, have been actively advocating for better protections and monitoring efforts. However, recent EPA funding cuts to community programs have undermined these efforts.
Local residents and environmental justice advocates, like Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice, have been vocal in demanding accountability. They emphasize that the pollution is not just regulatory data but real toxic burdens affecting their communities’ health and well-being. Town hall meetings and public forums hosted by local lawmakers reflect ongoing community frustration and a desire for more effective regulatory action.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday, the refinery continued to emit 1,450 pounds of sulfur dioxide, with the mechanical failure not expected to be fixed until late next week. The refinery is required to monitor for certain chemical emissions, but has not conducted on-site monitoring for sulfur dioxide or used dispersion models to determine how the sulfur dioxide is traveling.
Multiple factors, such as elevation levels, wind levels, weather, and time of day, can affect the safety of the surrounding community. Residents, like George X, who has lived 2 miles from the refinery for decades, are worried about health concerns reported by their neighbors over the years. At high levels, sulfur dioxide can cause breathing difficulties and be life-threatening, particularly for people with respiratory problems.
The Delaware City Refinery remains a significant environmental and public health concern for Delaware City residents and advocates, who continue pushing for stronger regulatory oversight and more rapid remediation of pollution issues.
- The ongoing emissions of sulfur dioxide from the Delaware City Refinery, a significant environmental concern, has raised questions about the role of financial institutions in funding such industries, especially given their widespread impact on the environment and personal health.
- In light of these incidents, some environmental scientists argue that universities and research institutions should dedicate more resources to studying the financial implications of climate-change-related practices in the energy industry.
- Personal-finance experts have also started to advise individuals on investing in companies that prioritize renewable energy and sustainable practices, as a means to combat the industry's adverse effects on the environment.
- Amidst these calls for change, business leaders and policymakers are seeking innovative solutions that can balance economic growth with the protection of our environment, such as investing in clean energy and incentivizing eco-friendly industrial practices.
