• Elk Environmental Services

What is Act 2?

Before we get into the changes, let’s talk about what the act does. Established in 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) Pennsylvania Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2) facilitates the cleanup of industrial sites and returns them to use. Act 2 creates the environmental standards for the cleanups. The cleanups are done voluntarily, in which the remediator (e.g., property owner) can obtain a “release from legal liability.”

There are some recent changes to Act 2, which include:

  1. The addition of standards for three perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluourooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS).
  2. Now includes a standard for total polychlorinated biphenals (PCBs) in addition to the aroclor-specific values.
  3. The soil cleanup standards for benzo[a]pyrene have become substantially less stringent.

Are there Any Implications?

The Act 2 cleanup standards are incorporated by reference in PADEP’s Management of Fill Policy, which means these changes have broad implications for development and construction projects throughout the state (outside of the Act 2 Program).

Cleanup Standards Being Revised

PADEP is also looking to revise cleanup standards for lead, vanadium and certain Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) with cancer-causing properties assessed relative to benzo[a]pyrene.

Elk teams up with professional consultants to help guide various property owners and developers on the most appropriate and cost-effective method to remediate, transport and dispose of contaminated soil in full regulatory compliance.

Affiliated Companies with The Empire Group