Accidents

Earlier this week, MDN told you about the final chapter in the tragedy of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refining Complex (see Sad Final Chapter to 2019 Philly Oil Refinery Fire: $4.2M Fine). Anti-fossil fuelers are dancing on the grave of the now defunct refinery, celebrating in the final humiliation of a $4.2 million fine by the federal EPA. MDN friend Garland Thompson, a gifted reporter/writer who covers energy and technology issues for US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine, wrote to us to point out missing facts in recent media coverage of the plant fire and subsequent closure. He provides some much-needed/missing context. Read More “Extra Context re Philly Refinery Fire, Closure, and EPA Fine”

In June 2019, a series of explosions and a massive fire occurred at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refining Complex (see Massive Explosion, Fire at Philadelphia Refinery). It took firefighters a full day to extinguish the blaze. The fire caused the oil refinery complex to close and lay off over 1,000 workers (see Philly Refinery to Close Following Massive Fire – 1,020 Jobs Lost). The owners put the facility, which had already been through a previous bankruptcy, up for auction. We (and many others) hoped that whoever purchased it would reopen the refinery. Those dreams vanished into thin air when it was announced the site would be converted into warehouses, complete with an increase in truck traffic, diesel fumes, and all sorts of headaches that come from a massive warehouse complex located in an urban area (see Philly Refinery Sold – To Become Huge, Polluting Truck Terminal). Sad. Read More “Sad Final Chapter to 2019 Philly Oil Refinery Fire: $4.2M Fine”