PES Refinery

Blow torches being used to demolish at the former PES refinery in South Philadelphia are thought to have ignited the fire, which was brought under control within four hours.

In 2020, levels dropped significantly due to the refinery’s shutdown, a recent report showed, but they remain high. The complex is being dismantled.

The Center for Architecture and Design in Philadelphia honors Mindy Fullilove, while pondering how to remediate the PES refinery site.

The School Board rejected the tax abatement in a prior vote. Board members said a vow to hire Philadelphia graduates changed no votes to yes.

Jasmine Sessoms’ job: to be liaison with the community, government, businesses and media as her company recreates the property. She welcomes the challenge.

The $225.5 million deal is done. Chicago-based Hilco plans to turn the 1,300-acre site in Southwest Philly into a distribution and logistics center.

With a $26.5 million cut in the price agreed to by Philadelphia Energy Solutions and Hilco Redevelopment OK’d, the deal is expected to close Friday.

Damage from the June 21 fire that resulted led to closure of the complex, the company’s bankruptcy, and a planned sale of the 1,300-acre property.

A Hilco Redevelopment Partners executive told a City Council hearing the company’s plan will create 8,000 union construction jobs, 10,000 permanent jobs.

A settlement resolved the plant developer’s objection to Hilco Redevelopment Partners’ purchase of the property. Two sides will negotiate further, he says.

Crews are removing mercaptan from the site, the odor used to make natural gas leaks smelly.

The city wants to be reimbursed for costs incurred by its hazardous materials team after June’s explosion, fire at Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ complex.

First, Philadelphia Energy Solutions and buyer Hilco Redevelopment Partners have to meet several legal obligations before the sale can close.

Also approved: a $29 million settlement with Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ unsecured creditors that includes a $5 million severance fund for workers.

The proposal stems from last summer’s explosion at the PES refinery in South Philadelphia. The company is winding its way through bankruptcy.