The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reported the release of 138 pounds of sulfur dioxide during a flaring event at the Delaware City Refinery of PBF Energy.
The flaring of occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Flaring typically occurs when pressure needs to be relieved during the refining process. This is sometimes the result of a compressor and other equipment failures at the refinery, which is capable of processing heavy crude oil with larger concentrations of sulfur.
This incident is now under investigation by DNREC.
The refinery has run at reduced rates after an equipment failure and small fire in late summer. The incident led the refinery to move up the date for scheduled maintenance.
Separately, the refining company agreed early this month to pay a $73,113 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental regulations for not immediately notifying the National Response Center and state and local emergency planning agencies about the release of hazardous substances that exceeded reportable quantities.
Federal regulations require facilities to immediately notify the National Response Center, the state emergency response commission, and the local emergency planning committee of any area likely to be affected by the release as soon as the owner or operator of a facility has knowledge of the release.
“When manufacturing facilities experience the release of a reportable substance, they must notify emergency responders so nearby communities can be properly protected,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA Mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “These timely reports are essential to protecting communities from potential health risks and environmental harm.”
According to the EPA, Delaware City Refinery allegedly released 14 pounds of benzene into the environment on Sept. 21, 2014. The reportable quantity for benzene is 10 pounds. The release was reported in a timely manner.
On Feb. 22, a ruptured pipe at the refinery released 1,3 butadiene and hydrogen sulfide into the environment. The company immediately reported the hydrogen sulfide release. However, an investigation the next day determined that about 140 pounds of 1,3 butadiene was also released, which exceeded the 10-pound amount. The company did not report the 1,3 butadiene until the day after the investigation, the EPA determined.
The refinery, which was built a half-century ago, never was never had a large no-build buffer zone around the site. As a result, newer homes and even a school in the Bear-Delaware City area were built within sight of the refinery.
Over they years, the refinery has reduced emissions and to some extent minimized the smells that come out of the refining process. PBF, which bought the refinery from Valero five years ago has been given generally good marks for its operations when compared to previous owners.
However, opponents have continued to push for the refinery to be more transparent in its operations and to oppose permits for the site.
