EPA Will Help Newark Clean Ex-Fat Rendering Plant, Gas Station

NEWARK, NJ — One was a former meat rendering plant that “improperly managed petroleum and chemical storage in 12 storage tanks.” Another was a former gas station that has been abandoned since 1991. Both of these Newark sites are slated for major cleanup efforts, with plans to eventually transform them into open space, commercial development or “industrial” use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As part of its brownfields environmental Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grants, the EPA recently awarded Newark $400,000 in funding to “assess, clean up and redevelop” two local properties: the former Allen’s Amoco site located at 861-869 Clinton Avenue and the former Berkowitz Fat Company site.

“We're excited to put these resources to use as part of our overall strategy, as we're currently cleaning up 35 acres of brownfields within the city,” said Carmelo Garcia, Newark Deputy Mayor, Director of Economic and Housing Development.

The EPA offered details about each cleanup effort:

Former Allen’s Amoco Site ($200,000) – “The $200,000 grant will be used to clean up the former Allen’s Amoco site located at 861-869 Clinton Avenue. The site operated as a gasoline station from around 1937 to 1991 when the structure was demolished and the site was abandoned. It has remained vacant since then. Remnants of the gasoline station include six underground storage tanks and petroleum-contaminated soil and groundwater. Grant funds will be used to remove the underground storage tanks, clean up the contaminated soil and groundwater, and support community engagement activities. Reuse potential for the site includes either commercial development or creation of open space.”

Former Berkowitz Fat Company Site ($200,000) – “Newark will use the $200,000 grant to clean up the former Berkowitz Fat Company site, which has been largely vacant since 2007. The one-acre site was a former meat rendering plant used to produce oils for paints, tallow for soaps, make-up, and other animal byproducts. Other historic site operations included improperly managed petroleum and chemical storage in 12 underground and aboveground storage tanks, resulting in discharges to the air, soil and groundwater. Grant funds will be used to remove the storage tanks, dispose of sludge, and support community engagement activities. The site’s anticipated reuse is industrial, taking advantage of its proximity to infrastructure such as major highways, rail, air and a port.”

According to the EPA:

“The Brownfields Program targets communities that are economically disadvantaged and provides funding and assistance to transform blighted sites into assets that can generate jobs and spur economic growth. A study analyzing 48 Brownfields sites found that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two to seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of these Brownfield sites. Furthermore, another study found that property values of homes located near Brownfields sites that are cleaned up increased between five and 15 percent after cleanup.”

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Photos: EPA (Former Berkowitz Fat Co. Site in Newark, NJ, Wednesday, April 25, 2018)