Toxic releases again dropped in Delaware during 2016, thanks in part to the closing of the Chemours titanium site in Edgemoor.
The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data report, compiled by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Emergency Prevention and Response Section, shows a decrease in onsite releases to land, air and water.
Total on-site releases were down 27 percent in Delaware for 2016 – with releases to land down 24 percent, releases to air down 23 percent and releases to water down 27 percent. Onsite releases represent only a very small portion of total TRI reported waste.
The PBF Energy Delaware City Refinery ranked at the top in toxic emissions. Emissions have declined over the years at the refinery.
The state did see a new industrial site in 2016 – the Calpine gas-fired generating plant near Dover. The combined cycle plant is considered to be far more environmentally friendly than coal-fired plants.
“The 2016 TRI reporting offers the consensus that Delaware’s manufacturing and industrial facilities continue to keep productivity high while working responsibly with concern for our environment,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The latest TRI data set further confirms that what began almost 15 years as a trend in decreasing toxic releases to our air, land and water has become the rule for the state’s reporting facilities. Today’s TRI reporting is attributable to enhanced technology, industry best practices, regulatory requirements and the public’s expectations for a cleaner environment – expectations which DNREC works every day to meet for protecting public health and preventing environmental risks. However, we must stay vigilant to ensure these trends continue to decrease.”
The full TRI 2016 report and data are available as well as reports from previous years can be found at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SERC/Pages/Reports.aspx
