Dear Friend, Energy Transfer Marketing & Terminals L.P. is attempting to renew its permit for discharging industrial waste from the Marcus Hook Terminal into the Delaware River and Clean Air Council has serious concerns about the impact this facility has on local water quality. The facility was built as an oil refinery in 1902 and in 2013 was converted to a processing, storage and transfer facility for natural gas liquids such as ethane and propane. The facility contains a hazardous waste storage area and received at least 10 violations from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2022 related to dangerous conditions at the facility’s various petrochemical storage tanks. Most concerning are the discharges of stormwater gathered from petrochemical storage areas when the industrial stormwater tank becomes full during precipitation events. Energy Transfer only tested this discharged industrial waste once in over a year and includes no information in its permit renewal application regarding how often it will be necessary for the company to discharge this industrial waste. Given increased precipitation because of climate change, particularly in Southeast Pennsylvania, the facility’s age and its long history of storage tank violations, DEP must reject this permit renewal application until more information is available regarding the movement, storage and discharge of industrial stormwater at this facility. Please click here to submit an official comment on this proposed water pollution permit renewal. | |
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.
Executive Director and Chief Counsel | |
