Pollution concerns linger years after Philadelphia refinery closes

The closure of Philadelphia's Energy Solutions refinery in 2019 did not end pollution issues for nearby communities, as industrial facilities and redevelopment projects continue to raise environmental concerns.

Jon Hurdle reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

South and Southwest Philadelphia remain impacted by industrial pollution, including a proposed natural gas storage plant and benzene contamination at nearby facilities.
The refinery site is being redeveloped into a logistics center, potentially increasing vehicular emissions despite cleanup efforts and plans for solar energy and electric vehicles.
Advocates call for thorough removal of contaminants, warning against capping methods that could worsen groundwater pollution.

Key quote:

“The ground is so toxic they can’t grow anything, and it’s not been cleaned. I’m talking about removing all the toxic waste, and shipping it out in a safe and humane manner. That’s at least a 10-year job.”

— Mark Clincy, Philly Thrive board member

Why this matters:

Decades of industrial pollution in South Philadelphia have left a legacy of environmental injustice, with disproportionate health impacts on poor, predominantly Black communities. As redevelopment plans move forward, community advocates are keen to ensure that new projects do not perpetuate harm.

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