Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the conclusion of its prompt interim response under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) for the Pool Doctor-Beaver Alkali Products Site in Rochester, Beaver County. The site is now clear of hazardous chemicals that had been improperly stored and disposed within and outside buildings on the site. Final restoration of the site—which consisted of final grading, construction of a drainage swale, seeding, and mulching—has been completed.

“Unexpected emergencies like this one, involving potentially deadly chemicals, shows the need for secure funding for the HSCA program,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

On July 1, 2019, DEP initiated the prompt interim response under HSCA to remove and properly dispose of the chemicals at the site to mitigate the threat to human health, safety, and the environment.

When DEP initiated its response, the site consisted of many drums and containers of unknown liquids and solids improperly stored and disposed in dilapidated buildings. These substances were associated with chemical businesses and a laboratory that operated out of the buildings located on the property. This site was not a DEP-regulated facility, but DEP responded when it became aware that the threat of release of unknown substances into the environment posed a public health and environmental risk.

Over the course of its response, DEP—through its contractors—processed approximately 1,000 containers of waste materials, most of which were classified as hazardous. DEP identified and categorized the chemicals inside and outside the buildings and prepared them for disposal or recycling. This survey includes a visual assessment of interior spaces, identification and/or classification, descriptions, and estimated quantities of each chemical.

The site presented significant challenges due to the quantity of unmarked, mislabeled, and incompatible chemicals stored improperly and in deteriorating containers, which was exacerbated by the structural instability of the buildings. Hazardous substances found at the site included strong acids, bases, oxidizers, and solvents. Many of these materials are highly reactive and unstable, strong irritants, flammable, and prone to combustion in sunlight, heat or moisture.

DEP originally allocated $375,000 for its response and to collect, categorize, and properly dispose of miscellaneous chemical wastes removed from the dilapidated facility. Then, a collapsed building that housed a large amount of improperly stored chemicals contributed to a chemical reaction, fire and chemical release at the site on July 12, 2019. As work progressed, DEP found additional storage areas and stock of hazardous chemicals as well as drums buried on the property. This coupled with the cost of addressing structural issues within the remaining building to conduct the work safely, disposal, transport, and 24/7 security for the site led to the total cost exceeding $3 million. A forthcoming final project report will be posted to DEP’s project website and will include the final cost, a full listing of all substances removed, and where they were disposed of.

As required under HSCA, DEP held a public meeting and hearing on September 4, 2019, where it collected public comments. These comments and DEP’s response were added to documents and information gathered by the department to form the basis of the administrative record. The administrative record closed on December 5, 2019, and DEP issued its response to comments and statement of decision to conduct the response action that same day. These documents and other relevant information are available on DEP’s webpage for this matter.

While this phase of its response is complete, DEP continues to investigate any and all potentially responsible parties. DEP retains the right to pursue any site owners or other potentially responsible parties for all costs incurred by DEP during its response. DEP has notified the Borough of Rochester of the completion of the department’s prompt interim response.

PennDOT, PSP Urge Responsible, Designated Driving Ahead of Independence Day

Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvania continues to reopen, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are reminding Pennsylvanians to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Independence Day holiday.

“While social distancing is still encouraged, when you do travel please drive safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Though Independence Day is a time for celebration, we urge Pennsylvanians to designate a sober driver and wear their seat belts throughout the coming weekend, and all year.”

According to PennDOT data, in 2019 there were 241 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in seven fatalities, from Friday, June 28 through Sunday, July 7, 2019. Additionally, there were 93 drug-related crashes, resulting in 11 fatalities, during last year’s Independence Day holiday driving period.

Pennsylvania was recently selected to receive a $35,000 grant from Responsibility.org and the Governors Highway Safety Association. The grant funds are for the Pennsylvania DUI Association and will be used to train an additional 20 Drug Recognition Experts. Impaired driving enforcement goes beyond checking for alcohol impairment. Law enforcement also work to identify motorists impaired by illegal drugs and prescription medication, or some combination of these. A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is a law enforcement officer trained to identify people whose driving is impaired by drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. DRE’s receive special training in addition to the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) training that all new law enforcement officers receive. There are nearly 225 trained DRE’s across Pennsylvania.

Over this holiday period, the Pennsylvania State Police and local municipal agencies will conduct impaired driving enforcement details. This effort is funded through PennDOT’s statewide annual distribution of more than $4.7 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for impaired driving enforcement.

“Troopers have zero-tolerance toward driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said State Police Commissioner Robert Evanchick. “As more Pennsylvanians begin to travel again, it is imperative to remember that the most important steps we can take to keep ourselves and our passengers safe on the road are to buckle up, slow down, and never drive while impaired or distracted.”

PennDOT encourages you to always plan ahead by either designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation. The public can join the conversation on social media by using #DriveSober and #NoDUIJuly.

To learn more about PennDOT’s efforts to prevent impaired driving or other safety initiatives, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.pa.gov.

How risky is flying during the coronavirus pandemic?
By The Associated Press undefined
How risky is flying during the coronavirus pandemic? Flying can increase your risk of exposure to infection, but airlines are taking precautions and you can too. Health officials say most germs don’t spread easily on planes because of the way air circulates. But you may have to sit closer than the recommended distance of 6 feet to other passengers, especially now that planes are flying fuller. Most U.S. airlines are requiring passengers to wear masks, which can help limit risk. Health officials also recommend washing your hands, wearing a mask and social distancing before and after arriving at your destination.

HAZELTON, Pa. (AP) — A fugitive who was riding in a tractor-trailer that had been pulled over on a Pennsylvania interstate led authorities on a brief chase and held them at bay with gunfire for three hours until they finally shot and killed him, officials said.
The 48-year-old resident of Whitehead, Indiana, was wanted for a homicide probation violation, authorities said. Members of a U.S. Marshals Service task force stopped the truck on Interstate 81 early Monday evening.
The driver got out, but the passenger drove off, leading officers on a chase that ended in the city of Hazelton when the truck got stuck in grass. But he refused to surrender and “intermittently fired weapons” at troopers during the ensuing standoff, officials said.
The man was shot and killed. His name was being withheld until his family could be notified.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Luzerne County prosecutors are investigating the shooting.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pittsburgh Police are reaching out to the public via social media to hopefully identify a suspect who is suspected of joining in the destruction of an unmarked police vehicle and burglarizing businesses during the May 30 protests.Pittsburgh Police are asking anyone who recognizes the male in the picture above to either E-mail them at  DAAT@Pittsburghpa.gov or call (412) 323-7800.

Dems push campaign-season health care bill through House
By ALAN FRAM Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have pushed an election-year package expanding “Obamacare” coverage through the House. The measure is doomed because it will never see the light of day in the Republican-run Senate, and the White House has threatened that President Donald Trump would veto it anyway. But the bill’s significance is more political than legislative. It comes during a coronavirus pandemic that’s elevated people’s health concerns and has resulted in millions losing employer-provided health insurance. Passage also comes as Trump has asked the Supreme Court to declare the health care law unconstitutional. The battle highlights how health care will be a major 2020 campaign issue.

AP sources: White House aware of Russian bounties in 2019
By JAMES LaPORTA Associated Press
Top officials in the White House were aware in early 2019 of classified intelligence indicating Russia was secretly offering bounties to the Taliban for the deaths of Americans, a full year earlier than has been previously reported. That’s according to U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the intelligence. The officials say the assessment was included in at least one of President Donald Trump’s written daily intelligence briefings at the time. Then-national security adviser John Bolton told colleagues he briefed Trump on the intelligence assessment in March 2019. The White House says Trump still hasn’t been briefed on the intelligence assessments because they haven’t been fully verified. Russia denies offering bounties.

AAA: Pennsylvania Gas Prices Increase; Demand Ramps Up Nationwide
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is three cents higher this week at $2.479 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states saw larger pump price increases compared to recent weeks, ranging from 4 to 9 cents. West Virginia (+9 cents), North Carolina (+8 cents) and Pennsylvania (+7 cents) saw the biggest increases in the region and land on this week’s top 10 largest weekly increases list. All other states saw prices fluctuate between four and eight cents, except for New York (+2 cents).

Most states in the region saw smaller increases at the pump likely due to the large increase in gasoline stocks, which added 1.3 million barrels, according to Energy Information Administartion (EIA) data. Gas prices are likely to increase for most states in the region, but the tri-states – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – may see smaller jumps due to the requirement that travelers from states with high coronavirus rates quarantine upon arrival.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.479
Average price during the week of June 22, 2020                                       $2.440
Average price during the week of July 1, 2019                                          $2.948

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.498      Altoona
$2.454      Beaver
$2.497      Bradford
$2.492      Brookville
$2.468      Butler
$2.448      Clarion
$2.500      Du Bois
$2.487      Erie
$2.461      Greensburg
$2.478      Indiana
$2.477      Jeannette
$2.488      Kittanning
$2.499      Latrobe
$2.494      Meadville
$2.500      Mercer
$2.407      New Castle
$2.492      New Kensington
$2.499      Oil City
$2.470      Pittsburgh
$2.497      Sharon
$2.486      Uniontown
$2.499      Warren
$2.436      Washington

On the National Front
On the week, gasoline demand increased 10% from 7.8 million barrels to 8.6 million barrels. While the demand rate is much lower than a typical summer reading, it’s the highest since late March, showing continued signs that Americans are filling up more.

The increase in gasoline demand contributed towards the national gas price average’s four cent bump to $2.17. While that average will continue to increase ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend, travelers will find pump prices about 50 cents cheaper than last year’s holiday.

At the end of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by 23 cents to settle at $38.49 per barrel. Domestic crude prices pushed cheaper last week due to an increase in new coronavirus infections worldwide, which could suppress crude demand if stay at home orders increase. For this week, crude prices could continue to decline if the market continues to worry that efforts to stimulate the global economy will falter because of uncontained outbreaks.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 78 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.