** Update -5:40 p.m. PADEP spokesman tells MetroPhilly that today’s cold temperatures and wind direction helped minimize the containment and cleanup of the oil spill at Delta’s refinery in Trainer**
The Philadelphia Business Journal and NBC10 report
that some 1,000 gallons of crude oil has spilled into the Delaware River in Trainer, Delaware County near the Monroe Energy oil refinery and close to the Commodore Barry Bridge. |
| Monroe Energy refinery |
Workers were moving the crude oil from a boat in the
river when a line ruptured. Boaters started to notice the oil around 1 p.m. Monday and called it into the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, according to a report from NBC10.
A response team arrived at the scene, using boom to contain the spread. Crews used skimmers and vacuums to remove the oil from the water.
At this point, it’s uncertain just how much oil the crews were able to remove and how much remains.
Monroe Energy is owned by Delta Airlines which purchased it from the Phillips 66Company in an effort to keep its fuel prices down. According to Monroe’s website, it “entered into strategic supply and marketing arrangements with BP and Phillips 66.”
UPDATE: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released this statement on the Delaware River oil spill:
DEP emergency responders reacted immediately when notified yesterday afternoon of a crude oil spill at the Monroe Energy refinery in Trainer, Delaware County.
DEP emergency responders joined the U.S. Coast Guard and other members of an incident management team to assess the release of about 1,000 gallons of oil into the Delaware River.
Monroe Energy promptly reported the spill, which occurred when a pipe ruptured as crews were off-loading crude oil, and took the necessary actions to minimize environmental impacts.
“While any spill into our waterways is unacceptable, reporting protocols were followed and we were able to respond quickly and effectively – the frigid weather and quick containment response have helped to minimize the impacts of this incident,” DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. “DEP staff is on the scene and will continue to monitor and assist with the cleanup until it has been completed, and we will review the cause of this incident to determine whether additional action is warranted.”
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