The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has entered into an agreement with the Delaware City Refining Company that will result in the company’s installation of modern technology to cut impacts on fish and other aquatic life.
A fine was also levied that could be eliminated if new technology proves to be effective. Earlier this week, a report from DNREC said the company had sharply reduced toxic emissions, as of 2013.
The agreement includes an improved fish return system at the Delaware City refinery’s water intake structure.
Delaware City Refining is the flagship refinery of PBF Energy.
The agreement also clarifies the process for renewal of permits that govern water intakes.
The penalty settlement deals with water-related violations that have occurred since the refinery restarted the refinery in 2011..
Modified traveling screens, designed minimize the toll on fish and other aquatic organisms, will replace the existing screen system, which was originally intended to keep trash from entering the cooling water system of the refinery.
The new screens will be constructed of a non-abrasive material to protect fish from descaling and will rotate continuously.
The screen system also will include a low-pressure wash to help remove trapped fish from the screens and collection buckets designed to collect and return fish and other aquatic life to the river.
The refinery will begin the design of and permitting process with DNREC for the improved fish return system.
The alleged violations carry an administrative penalty sum of $116,000. Under the agreement, the penalties would be waived upon completion of the modified traveling screens according to the schedule and compliance with other requirements, including implementation of a project to recycle wastewater as part of the facility’s cooling water system.
The refinery has recently reduced its use of water from the Delaware River by 30 percent under requirements of DNREC and the Delaware River Basin Commission, according to a DNREC release.
The settlement is not expected to lessen criticism of the refinery by some in the environmental community. Those on the fringe have said the site, which employs about 500 along with hundreds of contractors at various times, should be shut down.
