The signs along the West bank of the Schuylkill River are markers for Philadelphia Energy Solution’s (PES) crude pipelines and Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) natural gas pipeline. Pete DeCarlo and his team from the DeCarlo Group, part of the DARRL (Drexel Air Resources Research Laboratory) at Drexel have measured and recorded methane emissions while kayaking the Lower Schuylkill River. In the video you can see an emissions spike over the underwater pipelines, indicating a leak.
Methane Measurements on the Lower Schuylkill River from DeCarlo Laboratory on Vimeo.
In 2016, it was announced that the State will fund $3 million for a section of the Schuylkill River Trail and a small park on the opposite bank near Passyunk Ave. Bridge. The project will be carried out in two-stages ending in 2019. Currently, parts of the site still have active below and above ground pipelines for the refinery and PGW, connecting it with the tank farm. Much of the ground in this area is also heavily contaminated from long industrial use and much of it is tidal mudflat.