Latest news with #PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania residents say jet fuel leak poisoned their drinking water
When Kristine Wojnovich and her husband bought their home 20 years ago in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, it was everything they wanted — until one day in 2023, when she turned on her kitchen faucet. "It tasted weird and smelled like oil," Wojnovich said. "It was very disconcerting." Wojnovich called Sunoco Pipeline, operator of the Twin Oaks pipeline that runs just across their street. It carries jet fuel underground from a fuel terminal outside Philadelphia to Newark Terminal near the airport. Sunoco tested her water, but she says they didn't find anything. "[They said], 'We're so happy to tell you, there's no oil, no gas, no propane, nothing in your water,'" Wojnovich said. When she pressed further about the cause, Wojnovich said Sunoco Pipeline told her they didn't know, but it could be "some kind of bacteria" unrelated to the pipeline. But other neighbors made similar complaints. Finally, 16 months after Wojnovich made her first call — and only after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection investigated — Sunoco found a leak in the pipeline. "I feel like we're being poisoned every day," Wojnovich said. People in the community don't use water piped in from a reservoir far away. Instead, they use wells that draw from underground aquifers for their cooking and drinking water. When their well was finally opened earlier this year, Wojnovich was shocked at the amount of jet fuel on top of it. "It was 15 it's been gathering there since September 2023," Wojnovich said. Sunoco removed that fuel, but Wojnovich says Sunoco still sends workers each day to skim off new fuel seeping into her well. She's not alone. The number of wells impacted has risen to at least 38, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In 2024, Sunoco Pipeline spilled more fuel than any other pipeline in the United States, according to data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. "A pipeline company that's more aggressive in follow-up, would have identified it sooner," said Robert Hall, who spent decades regulating pipeline safety for the federal government. "They are not one of the best pipeline companies with regard to their management of their pipeline." In a statement, Sunoco's partner company Energy Transfer said it has installed "advanced water filtration systems at no cost" and is "committed to the cleanup and restoration of but did not address why it took so long to find the leak. As for Wojnovich, she is suing Sunoco Pipeline. With the pipeline back in operation, she doesn't plan to stick around the neighborhood. "Would you stay if there was 12 feet of jet fuel found on your well?" Wojnovich said. "We feel unsafe." Sneak peek: Fatal First Date Trump teases "good news" on Russia-Ukraine war Arrests by masked federal agents are "slippery slope," former DHS attorney warns
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fracking wastewater spills from tanker truck after crash in Sullivan Twp
SULLIVAN TWP., Pa. (WETM) — A tanker truck carrying fracking wastewater rolled 100 feet down an embankment in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, on Monday, spilling about 2,000 gallons of flowback water into a nearby stream, according to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The crash happened in the early morning on Monday, May 12, near 332 Connelly Mountain Road in the Sullivan Township area, Josh Clark from the Mansfield Hose Company explained in the release. According to Clark, the truck left the road and flipped onto its side into a small stream. 'Operation Yellow Jacket' targets work zone speeders in North Central PA About half of its load leaked out from the top hatch of the tank, but no fuel was observed after absorbents and pads were placed in and around the stream as a precaution, the release further stated. Clark said the truck was assumed to be coming from a well pad site on Mountain Ridge Road in Mainesburg, PA. The release stated Moore's trucking company went to the scene with a pump truck to remove the remaining liquid from the overturned tanker, and B&W Towing Company also helped with cleanup. DEP officials remained on-site on Monday to make sure everything was being properly taken care of. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
DEP begins black fly suppression program
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has started its annual black fly suppression program, monitoring and treating 48 rivers and streams spanning more than 1,800 miles. 'As the weather turns warmer, Pennsylvanians will be spending more time outdoors, and black flies (biting gnats) are a pest that can put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day,' said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. 'This annual treatment program reduces this nuisance so that Pennsylvanians and visitors can fully enjoy outdoor activities.' The program involves aerial and backpack spraying to control nuisance black fly populations. Spraying activities will be performed on flowing sections of the river containing the pest species by both helicopter and DEP ground crews. Helicopters perform treatments by flying low over waterways and dispersing a brown liquid containing Bti. Bti is a naturally occurring soil bacteria used to treat the specific black fly species that is a pest to people. This bacterium quickly degrades in the environment and does not harm fish, people, birds or other insects. The frequency of the treatments will depend on weather and presence of the target species. The program is entering its 40th year of spray operations on Pennsylvania waterways. It focuses on the larval stage of a black fly's life cycle in rivers and does not conduct spray operations on land to control black fly adult populations. Prior to any spraying activity, DEP notifies county and local emergency management officials. Helicopters may be seen spraying material over waterways and ground crews may be seen applying material from bridges and wading in streams. Anyone concerned at the sight of a helicopter or ground personnel conducting sprays is encouraged to call their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in their area. Spray notifications can also be found on the DEP's Vector Management Program website by clicking the link '2025 Spray Notifications.' The published schedule is subject to change depending on weather and water conditions.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania projects that work to combat environmental concerns may now apply for grants
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — In celebration of Earth Day, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it's accepting grant applications for environmental projects. The Growing Greener Plus Grant Program is now accepting applications for its next round and will do so until June 20. The program is the largest investment of state funds to address critical environmental issues, according to a release. Recycling center encourages Penn State fans to separate trash on game day 'Growing Greener is one of the most successful conservation programs in Pennsylvania history, and it is great to see the positive impact that these projects can have for our communities. These grants empower communities to build environmental improvements right where they live – ensuring cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient infrastructure,' DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'We're proud to open the next round of funding on Earth Day to recognize that protecting the environment benefits our communities and the people of Pennsylvania.' Here's who is eligible for grants: Watershed groups Local or county government Municipal authorities County planning commissions County conservation districts Educational institutions Non-profit organizations Since its inception, the program has provided over $420 million to over 2,800 environmental projects. In previous years, Central Pennsylvania projects that were awarded funds included the Clearfield County Conservation District, which got $200,000 for agricultural and stream restoration BMP implementation. The Elk County Conservation District was also awarded $87,002 for a stream improvement and rain garden project. You can learn more about the Growing Greener Plus Grants and how to apply on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State health officials sound the alarm after troubling contamination patterns identified across 22 public water systems: 'It is a huge deal'
Almost two dozen water providers in Pennsylvania, including six in the Philadelphia area, were told to inform their customers after the affected systems were found to be out of compliance with state mandates regarding toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — or PFAS. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has reported that 22 providers failed to reduce PFAS in drinking water in line with the agency's requirements, according to a March report from public media outlet WHYY. Six of those water providers are in the Philadelphia area, including two schools and a mobile home community. Perhaps even more alarming, WHYY has reported that over 180 providers statewide are still seeing PFAS measuring at levels that exceed the stringent federal limits set to be implemented in four years. PFAS regulation advocate Hope Gross of the Buxmont Coalition for Safer Water told WHYY, "I do think this is a state of emergency, and I think our world is really coming to terms with some of this and I hope that everyone tests their water because it is a huge deal." PFAS have been linked to serious issues like cancer, thyroid disease, developmental delays in children, and more. And they're everywhere, commonly found in everything from food packaging and nonstick kitchenware to water-resistant clothing and furniture, toiletries, and electronics. The chemicals can also be found in our household dust, soil, and drinking water. Research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences suggests that PFAS could lead to an increased risk of childhood obesity, increased risk of cancers, and a less effective immune system. Other studies have found that reproductive health issues such as endometriosis and preeclampsia may be linked to exposure to PFAS, which are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in bodies and in the environment. As previously noted, new federal regulations on PFAS will come into effect by 2029. These limits will require the 19% of Pennsylvania water providers that WHYY documented in a 2024 investigation as having levels above these limits to reduce PFAS in their water systems. The new standards will be stricter than Pennsylvania regulations and will hopefully create safer drinking water across the United States. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While it would be virtually impossible to completely eliminate PFAS from our everyday lives due to their prevalence in water, food, and consumer items, some steps can be taken to avoid the chemicals. For example, PFAS are commonly found in food stored in takeout containers. Research suggests that those who eat fresh meals at home more often than they eat takeout are less exposed to these chemicals. Several major brands, like McDonald's and Amazon, have also pledged to take steps toward reducing PFAS in their packaging and products. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
