[StBernard] Murphy Oil Clean Fuels Phase II

[Westley Annis]

Westley
 
There is a public notice from LDEQ for ::
 
Murphy Oil USA Inc Meraux Refinery  AI Number 1238
Permit Number 2500-00001-V2
 
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/apps/pubNotice/show.asp?qPostID=3682&SearchText
=murphy&startDate=1/1/2005&endDate=4/23/2007&category=
<http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/apps/pubNotice/show.asp?qPostID=3682&SearchTex
t=murphy&startDate=1/1/2005&endDate=4/23/2007&category=>  
 
Residents in the nearby neighborhood would really like to participate in a
public hearing to obtain more information.  "If LDEQ finds a significant
degree of public interest, a public hearing will be held."
 
Any St Bernardian who would like to participate in the public hearing or who
would like to notify DEQ that you are interested in having a public hearing
is urged to contact DEQ by 12:30pm TOMORROW May 3, 2007.
 
Your request for a public hearing can be a simple communication such as 
 
 "I/we would like a public hearing for Murphy Oil Meraux Refinery Air Permit
Renewal and Modification.  AI Number 1238  Permit Number 2500-00001-V2.
Name, address, contact information
 
All Communications need to include the AI Number 1238 and Permit Number
2500-00001-V2
They can be sent to the                Department of Environmental Quality
                                                 Ms Soumaya Ghosn
                                                 P O Box 4313
                                                 Baton Rouge, LA  70821
and it can be sent in the following ways:
 
email soumaya.ghosn at la.gov
 
faxed (225)219-3309
 
faxes and emails are to be followed by a mailed copy to the above P O Box 
 
You may also call Ms Soumay Ghosn to make this request at (225)219-3276
or email comments to the Environmental Assistance Division
deqmaillistrequest at la.gov
 
All Participation is Greatly Appreciated As we would like to have this
public hearing.
 
There is information in the request for renewal and modification that we
want more information about.
The public notice states regarding the "Clean Fuels" Phase II project
"Estimated NOx emissions increase is significant due to these projects."
 
Murphy is also requesting ""Other modifications are the increase in storage
capacity; vent gas reduction by routing them to the Fuel Gas System (FGS),
add a new boiler approved earlier". We want to know WHERE these additions
are planned and if the increased storage capacity means more storage tanks.
 
The following are excerpts from my letter to LDEQ regarding a public
hearing.  THANKYOU VERY MUCH.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE SEND A COMMUNICATION; if you are
not interested, please delete. Thankyou Suzanne 
 
 
Subject: AI Number 1238 Permit Number 2500-00001-V2


 April 22, 2007
 
Department of Environmental Quality
Office Of Environmental Services
 
Ms Soumaya Ghosn
LDEQ, Public Participation Group
P. O. Box 4313
Baton Rouge, LA  70821
 
AI Number 1238, Permit Number 2500-00001-V2
Activity Number PER20050006
 
Proposed Part 70 Air Operating Permit Renewal and Modification
Murphy Oil USA, INC. Meraux Refinery AI Number 1238
 
This is a request for a public hearing in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
regarding the Murphy Oil USA, INC. Meraux Refinery, its above mentioned
renewal and modification permit and in particular these following comments.
A public hearing is in order because due to our living situations post
Hurricane Katrina, lack of access to technology, lack of public library, and
until March 2007, lack of consistent newspaper delivery, we feel not all
concerned citizens have had access to this public notice. 
 
Please consider these comments with regards to this permit and the current
DEQ permit public notice.  It is important that Murphy Refinery design and
operate any modification to their plant more safely and report to their
neighbors, the residents of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, in a more
transparent manner and in a way which can be more easily understood.
 
1.   How does Murphy plan to reduce the additional noise from the new and
additional processing for clean fuels Phase I?
           Since Murphy has been processing Post Hurricane Katrina, there is
significantly additional noise than PreKatrina, and this additional noise is
also constant during this 'new' process.  We have noticed this process which
puts off a large amount of steam; it can be seen from Jacob Drive (South)
and Ohio Streets.  It can sometimes be seen from the clear field which is
directly in my front yard view on Corinne Drive (South).  It is during this
steaming process that the noise level is such that it can be heard
continuously (24 hours a day now since Friday just as an example), not only
in our front yard and driveway, but also in our home.  Our across the street
neighbor has complained as such also, regarding the outside and inside noise
level from this additional process. Continual noise from the Murphy Refinery
is a source of nuisance and distress.  This noise is so loud, so continuous,
so repeated, and is accompanied by a hum with a distinct pitch and duration
occurring at such times that it gives us reasonable cause for annoyance.  We
are suffering sleep deprivation during the times of this 'steam' process,
can not enjoy our yards and gardens, and it is affecting our daily lives.
Today, Sunday April 22, 2007 was a beautiful spring day, and we had to shout
over the refinery noise while trying to visit in the across the street
neighbors yard and driveway.  This loud background noise causes headaches.
 
I would like the DEQ and Murphy Refinery to indicate the measures to be
taken to prevent or limit the noise AND to specify a period within which
these measures are to be taken.  We are also concerned that as Murphy
Refinery increases production processes, it is coinciding with the
demolition of properties acquired in the 'oilspill buyout settlement'.&nb
sp; With these demolitions and subsequent vacant residential lots, there
will be more cleared 'fields' through which this noise will travel.  
 
I would like the DEQ and Murphy Refinery to indicate the measures to be
taken to reduce this additional noise from the upcoming vacant residential
lots in the 'buyout area'.

2.  Where does Murphy plan its "other modification are the increase in
storage capacity"?
    Is the increased storage capacity an additional storage tank? How many
additional storage units is proposed?  What chemicals will it store? How
does this additional storage capacity add to the emissions from the
refinery?  How does Murphy propose to design and maintain this additional
storage so as not to have more 'accidental' pollution?
 
Murphy has not been responsible with its present tanks and its lack of
safety actions caused the oil spill in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Are the increased storage capacity facilities planned to be in plain view of
our subdivision?  
 
 
3.  With regards to "estimated NOx emissions increase is significant due to
these projects" how does Murphy intend to decrease these additional
emissions? What type of independent air monitoring will Murphy provide to
assure our neighborhood does not become affected by these added
contaminants? Will updated pollution controls be installed with these plant
modifications? 
 
Having asthmatic children with compromised lungs, any increase in NOx is
significant.  The elderly population in the neighborhood is equally affected
by any increase.
 
4.  Would the "contemporaneous changes" be significantly different if the
ROSE unit were on line?  In other words, once other units are back on line
postKatrina, are the permitted emissions from the Meraux Refinery still at a
negative change (except for CO) as shown in the public notice? Or is this a
decrease in the total permitted amounts or a decrease due to the damaged
ROSE unit?
 
 
Thankyou for your consideration of our public comments and our request for a
public hearing in St Bernard Parish, Louisiana. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Suzanne Kneale
2114 Corinne Drive (South)
Chalmette, LA  70043
504/271-2805
504/416-6848