[StBernard] Neighborhood Association informs Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc.

[Westley Annis]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Wednesday July 2, 2008 
Contact 
Concerned Citizens Around Murphy (CCAM)
CCAMLA1 at gmail.com <mailto:CCAMLA1 at gmail.com> 
Suzanne Kneale, Secretary
(504)416-6848


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday July 2, 2008 
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Neighborhood  Association informs Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc. of  Intent to Sue
for Violations of the Clean Air Act at its Meraux Refinery   


Concerned Citizens Around Murphy (CCAM) put Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc. on
notice Tuesday of its intent to sue over the refinery's violations of the
Clean Air Act.  The Murphy Oil's Meraux refinery has released many tons of
SO2 and other chemicals into the neighborhoods' air in excess of federal
permit limits.


St Bernard Parish residents are concerned about the safety and public health
effects of these releases of toxic emissions and CCAM members seek
enforcement of environmental regulations to improve the air quality in their
community.  The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality or the
Environmental Protection Agency may elect to enforce these Clean Air Act
violations.  If neither take enforcement actions during the 60-day notice
period, the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, on behalf of CCAM, will file
the law suit against Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc. for these Clean Air Act
violations.

CCAM is a neighborhood association formed in the aftermath of Murphy Oil's
Hurricane Katrina crude oil spill. The neighborhood around Murphy is
particularly more vulnerable to further refinery incidents due to recent
zoning changes within the oil spill settlement agreement's buffer zone,
which is allowing refinery encroachment into the neighborhood.  

Murphy Oil's large industrial business looms over this small residential
neighborhood, so the insistence that the refinery simply comply with their
air permits will have an immediate and significant improvement on the
quality of life in this peaceful community.
  
Following CCAM's formation, it requested more comprehensive dialogue with
the Meraux refinery operators and residents participated in discussions and
attended several meetings with refinery officials.  Last fall neighbors were
assured Murphy would implement a flaring reduction and reliability program
in the neighborhood.  

While disappointed and frustrated by the lack of results and discouraged
with the ambiguous communications from Murphy, CCAM hopes to resolve this
situation in an amicable matter.  As a last resort, the residents' advocacy
group will pursue this citizen's enforcement of the refinery's permit
violations through federal court.  

"Not to be defined by a disaster but rather how we have come together during
our lives of this time, we restored our homes and revitalized our community;
rebuilding stronger, safer and smarter.  So too, heavy industry(s) that
returned to do business in St Bernard Parish are expected to make the proper
repairs, rebuild and perform on a safer and more responsible level",
explains Suzanne Kneale, one of CCAM's founding officers.