Contact: John Parker, Emergency Prevention and Response Branch, 302-739-9405; or Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
Annual state TRI data and reports again show decreases in emissions;
company anti-pollution efforts, economic conditions continue as factors
Downward trend continues since data's baseline reporting in 1998
DOVER (Nov. 17, 2011) – The annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data and reports for 2010 from Delaware’s industrial facilities as compiled by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control show a significant decrease in reported emissions compared to 2009 – and a continued trend in reduction since 1998, a baseline year when TRI reporting requirements expanded significantly and more facilities began reporting to the program.
In this 24th year of TRI data collection from facilities, the 2010 data also reflects an impact that both anti-pollution efforts by industry and regulatory efforts by the government have played in the decrease in emissions.
Statewide, TRI total on-site releases reported in Delaware for 2010 were lower by nearly 20 percent compared to 2009.Reported on-site releases totaled 4.33 million pounds, down from the 5.32 million pounds reported for 2009, and down 64 percent from the 11.86 million pounds reported for 1998. For the first time since Delaware began reporting toxic chemical releases, the amount of toxic chemicals released in 2010 is lower than 1990. When considering that 20 chemicals reportable in Delaware were added in 1995 and nine facilities, including the electric generating facilities, were added in 1998, this rates as a significant achievement.
TRI data indicates the decrease is in part attributable to Delaware’s efforts to reduce pollution from the energy sector. The report highlights fewer metal compounds released to land by the Indian River power plant (NRG Energy, Inc.) and fewer air emissions from Calpine’s Edgemoor facility. Calpine undertook measures in response to the multi-pollutant regulation designed to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and mercury emissions in 2009. These measures, including conversion to natural gas fuel starting in July 2010, also produced significant reductions at the facility in other TRI reportable emissions such as hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid for calendar 2009 and beyond. A statewide reduction of 65 percent in on-site mercury release was reported under phase one for 2009, followed by another reduction of 24 percent for 2010.
The then-idle Delaware City Refinery also contributed significantly to the reported reduction in on-site releases for 2010. The former owner, Valero, closed refining operations in Delaware City on November 20, 2009, but TRI data from this facility for 2010 is included in the report because some operations continued in 2010. These operations included storage of product in tanks, wastewater treatment operations, steam production, loading operations at the marine docks and sales terminal, and waste handling. Propylene releases to air from the frozen earth storage unit, which is now closed permanently and was emptied, were reported for 2010 as 35,000 pounds for 2010. The Delaware City Refinery recently came back on-line, bringing with it both jobs and a commitment for significant environmental improvements at the facility.
Further, reported on-site waste management amounts decreased by 31 percent, largely the result of the then-idle Delaware City Refinery, which included a decrease of 14.7 million pounds in energy recovery amounts. Transfers of waste to off-site locations increased by 18 percent. Also, on-site releases of known, probable or possible carcinogens decreased by 13 percent in 2010, primarily from the 29,000-pound reduction of chromium and lead compounds amounts disposed on-site to land at the Indian River power plant.
DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara noted that the continued reduction in toxic releases is making Delaware healthier and safer environmentally. "I am particularly pleased that the results of Delaware’s efforts to move its source of energy generation from coal to cleaner forms of energy are reflected in this year’s TRI report," Sec. O'Mara said. "The Calpine Edge Moor/Hay Road power plant converted from coal to natural gas in July 2010 and the Invista Seaford facility converted to natural gas in April 2009. This has significantly reduced releases of acid gasses and other chemicals related to the combustion of coal, and is now benefiting Delaware’s environment, as reflected in the reduced on-site emissions from these two facilities by 170 tons in 2010.
“DNREC is committed to working with the business and government sectors, and with the public, to improve air quality and water quality by developing cost-effective methods of reducing all toxic emissions across all industries,” Sec. O’Mara said. “Any operating in-state facilities that take voluntary action to cut down on their releases also deserve recognition for their contributions to the goal of reducing all toxic emissions in Delaware.”
Sec. O’Mara also noted that additional TRI reductions will result from NRG’s efforts underway to come into compliance with DNREC’s multi-pollutant regulation (Reg. 1146), a two-phase regulation designed to sharply reduce emissions from Delaware power plants. “Next year, we will see even greater reductions after NRG completes the significant upgrades nearing completion at its Indian River Power Plan, which will produce the largest reduction in air emissions ever in Delaware," Sec. O'Mara said.
Although not all of the emissions comprise TRI-reportable chemicals, reductions achieved through compliance will also include reductions in releases of the TRI chemicals hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid and mercury. Additional interim reductions occurred with shutdown of NRG’s Millsboro plant’s Unit 2 in 2010 and Unit 1 in 2011. Also, Indian River's Unit 3 will close in 2013. Full reductions as called for by the multi-pollutant regulation will occur under phase two of the upgrade in 2012.
Releases to land also decreased in 2010, largely because of a reduction of TRI metals in the ash sent for on-site disposal to the Indian River Power Plant. The facility has been issued a permit to construct a state-of-the art landfill, which includes protective elements such as a cap to prevent escape of air-borne dust, and an impervious liner to prevent leakage of liquids. Statewide, TRI metals released to land for disposal decreased by 336,000 pounds, or 70 percent, for 2010.
Reported on-site releases of all carcinogens (known, probable, and possible) decreased by 24,000 pounds (13 percent) for 2010. Reduction of on-site disposal amounts of chromium, lead, copper, barium, manganese, and vanadium compounds in ash at the Indian River Power Plant played a large role in this reduction. Since 1998, on-site releases in Delaware for all carcinogens are down by 698,000 pounds, or 82 percent.
Analysis of Delaware’s 2010 toxic waste data indicates that TRI-reported total toxic waste amounts, including on-site releases, transfers off-site, and waste managed on-site, decreased 23 percent – or 16.9 million pounds – compared to 2009.
The TRI reports and data for calendar year 2010 are now available through the DNREC at: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SERC/Information/Pages/PublicInformation.aspx. The attached fact sheet provides additional details about the 2010 TRI reports.
Delaware Toxics Release Inventory
2010 Data and Reports
FACT SHEET
What is TRI?
The Toxics Release Inventory, or “TRI,” is a data set containing information reported annually since 1987 for toxic chemicals manufactured, processed, or otherwise used by certain facilities in Delaware and throughout the United States. The TRI was established in 1986 under Title III, Section 313, of the Federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA 313) to provide information to the public about the presence and release of toxic chemicals in their communities. Title III is also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
Toxic release reporting was required in the reporting year 2010 for:
• 581 individual chemicals, ranging from highly toxic and persistent compounds like mercury to relatively less toxic (per amount) and less persistent chemicals like methanol.
• 30 chemical categories, within which there are a number of chemicals, such as the 17 different chemicals in the “dioxins, furans and PCB” category).
The list of facilities that must report to the government under TRI is determined by whether they fall under one of the covered North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Primarily, these NAICS codes include:
• Manufacturing facilities
• Oil and coal fired electric utilities, and
• Bulk petroleum terminals.
Facilities submit information to Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the amount of each toxic chemical that is:
(1) Released to the environment and/or
(2) Managed onsite as waste, or
(3) Managed offsite as waste.
Data from Delaware facilities is compiled by DNREC. Reports summarizing the data are prepared and published annually by DNREC and the EPA. It is noteworthy that TRI only requires reporting of releases and waste management activities, but not amounts used. The control of those releases is achieved separately through a variety of DNREC and EPA permits, laws and regulations.
Delaware results: On-site releases to the environment
For the 2010 calendar year, 61 facilities reported releases of 79 different TRI chemicals. Reported on-site releases to the environment were approximately 4.3 million pounds. Of this amount, approximately 3.5 million pounds were reported as released to the air, while 600,000 pounds were released to water and 211,000 pounds were released to land. For the TRI chemicals released to the air, 76 percent were from hydrochloric acid releases, largely from coal-fired power plants (e.g., NRG Indian River in Millsboro). Total on-site releases reported for 2010 were lower by 19 percent when compared to 2009.
The total reported releases on-site to air increased by 326,000 pounds (10 percent), reported releases to water decreased by 990,000 pounds (62 percent), and releases to land decreased by 327,000 pounds (61 percent) for 2010. NRG’s Indian River Power Plant reported an increase of 779,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid released to air because of an increase in chlorine content in the coal, the Edge Moor/Hay Road Power Plant reported a reduction of 232,000 pounds and INVISTA Seaford reported a 59,000 pound decrease, both because of conversions to natural gas. The idle Delaware City Refinery reported a 956,000-pound decrease in nitrate compounds released to water, and Perdue Georgetown reported a 9,000-pound decrease.
The Delaware City Refinery shut down its refining operations on November 20, 2009, but TRI data from this facility for 2010 is included in the report because some operations continued in 2010. These operations included storage of product in tanks, wastewater treatment operations, steam production, loading operations at the marine docks and sales terminal, and waste handling. Propylene releases to air from the frozen earth storage unit, which is now closed and was emptied, were reported for 2010 as 35,000 pounds for 2010.
The total amount released on-site to land decreased by 327,000 pounds. This was largely the result of decreases in the reported amounts of by-products from coal combustion disposed of at the Indian River Power Plant facility on-site landfill in 2010.
Delaware results: Total TRI waste
Two of the three categories of release and waste management – on-site releases and on-site waste management – reported reductions compared to 2009.The third category, transfers off-site for treatment or disposal, showed an increase. Analysis of Delaware 2010 toxic waste data indicates that TRI-reported total toxic waste showed a total amount of approximately 58.1 million pounds, a 22.5 percent decrease from the 75.0 million pounds reported for 2009. This is also a 62 percent decline, or 94.3 million pounds less than to the 152.4 million pounds reported for 1998. The 1998 year is used as a baseline because the TRI reporting requirements were significantly expanded that year, requiring more facilities to begin reporting to the TRI program.
Waste amounts sent off-site for treatment and disposal increased by 2.0 million pounds, or 18% in 2010, largely the result of an increase in manganese compounds send off-site for disposal by DuPont Edge Moor and zinc compounds sent off-site for recycle by Evraz Claymont Steel. These were offset by decreases in Methanol and toluene sent off-site for energy recovery by Noramco. Other variations were reported as part of normal cycles of increasing and decreasing production and finding better ways to manage the waste products created at the respective facilities.
Delaware results: TRI reporting of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (PBTs)
Of the 61 reporting facilities for 2010, 26 reported on 11 PBT substances for a total amount of 8,949 pounds of PBT substances released on-site to the environment. This is down from the 20,112 pounds reported in 2009. Lower reported amounts of lead and mercury compounds from the Indian River Power Plant were largely responsible for the decrease. These PBTs were sent to the facility’s on-site landfill in 2010. The facility has been permitted to construct a state-of-the art landfill, which includes protective elements such as a cap to prevent escape of air-borne dust, and an impervious liner to prevent leakage of liquids. NRG is cooperating with DNREC to install monitors for particulate matter to determine any off-site impacts of air-borne ash. Statewide, the net change was an 11,163-pound decrease in PBT on-site releases for 2010. For all PBT chemicals at all facilities the total of on-site releases and disposal off-site was a decrease of 24,474 pounds compared to 2009. Most prominent was the 11,610-pound decrease in on-site release to land of lead compounds at the Indian River Power Plant and the 13,523 pound decrease in mercury sent off-site for disposal by Occidental Chemical, balanced by smaller increases and decreases at other facilities.
In conjunction with efforts to reduce mercury emissions, DNREC, with the aid of a review committee, developed a new multi-pollutant regulation to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and mercury (Hg) emissions from Delaware's coal and residual oil fired electric generating power plants. The reduction in emissions has begun to improve ambient air quality in Delaware and in downwind states, and is helping the state demonstrate progress toward attaining air quality standards for ground level ozone and other clean air federal obligations.
National perspective
As of the date Delaware’s TRI inventory was released, EPA had not released the national 2010 TRI report. However, placing the 2010 Delaware reports alongside the 2009 EPA reports provides a national TRI perspective for the state. This data shows that Delaware ranks 44th of the 50 states in total on-site releases for all TRI chemicals. This is 0.14 percent of all on-site releases nationwide.
For more information
Copies of submittals from individual facilities are available upon request. Because the program reporting requirements change each year, comparison with prior years may not be valid without proper adjustments. The 2010 TRI chemical and facility data, as well as data from earlier years dating back to 1995, is available in an easy to use on line searchable format at: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SERC/Services/Pages/DataSearch.aspx .
DNREC has published both technical and non-technical reports summarizing the 2010 TRI data. Reports for the 2010 data and previous years back to 1998 are available online at: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SERC/Pages/Reports.aspx.
Vol. 41, No. 440
