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Delaware City Refinery toxic release does not threaten public health, state says

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Delaware City Refinery toxic release does not threaten public health, state says


No threat to public health, state officials say

On Thursday, sulfur dioxide was leaking from the refinery at a rate of 1,450 pounds per hour, according to a notice posted through the Delaware Emergency Release Notification System. In the most recent notice Saturday evening, the facility reported a release of more than 500 pounds of the chemical.

But sulfur dioxide levels detected by a nearby air monitoring station east of the refinery on Route 9 have remained “significantly below” health-based standards, Nikki Lavoie, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control spokesperson, wrote in an email.

Data available through the state’s air monitoring portal shows since May 26, 1-hour levels of sulfur dioxide at the Route 9 monitor peaked at 12 a.m. June 1, at 29 parts per billion — below the federal 1-hour health standard of 75 parts per billion. Most 1-hour readings have been even lower. The highest daily average recorded at the station since the incident began was around 6 parts per billion of sulfur dioxide, Lavoie said.

“Based on known quantities released along with real-time air quality data, there has been no indication of a public health threat from this incident that would require a broader emergency response,” she said.

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Subscribers to the Delaware Emergency Release Notification System were notified of the release, but the state did not send out a broader emergency notification.

Release caused by a broken pollution control device

The release is the result of a mechanical issue with a primary air pollution control device at the refinery, Lavoie said. Because of this issue, the refinery switched to a secondary pollution control device, which does not manage sulfur dioxide, she said.

The refinery said it is working to repair the equipment, and that the work will take around two weeks.

“A team of competent, talented, and committed employees and contractors is working diligently around the clock to repair the equipment and return the refinery to its primary process configuration,” reads a statement provided by Randi Licciardello, lead community and government relations advisor at the refinery, which is owned by PBF Energy.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has not directed the refinery to shut down the equipment causing the release, because emissions during a shutdown can exceed the emissions from operation, Lavoie said.

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State environmental officials are investigating the incident, and may take enforcement actions against the facility.

The Delaware City Refinery has a history of environmental violations, including three in just the past year.



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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

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“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

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“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

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PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising


Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.



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Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say

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Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say


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A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.

The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.

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According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.

Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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