[StBernard] another storm lesson

[Westley Annis]

COMMENTS ON THE AP ARTCILE : AP Investigation: Ike environmental toll
apparent

10/5/2008, 9:01 a.m. CDT
By DINA CAPPIELLO, FRANK BASS and CAIN BURDEAU 
The Associated Press

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-42/1223212150293500.xml&s
torylist=louisiana


Ike was not the first storm to illustrate the need for a commitment of more
responsible operations from heavy industry located along the Gulf Coast:  a
commitment to implement available technology to reduce toxic releases from
planned shutdown and startup modes and a commitment to prevent tank farm
spills from the known risks.

The article reports "... by far, the most common contaminant left in Ike's
wake was crude oil "..."About half the crude oil was reported spilled at a
facility..." where  "...surge from the storm flooded the plant, leveling its
dirt containment wall and snapping off the pipes connecting its eight
storage tanks".

 ""Air contaminants were the second-most common release, mostly from the
chemical plants and refineries along the coast."    


>From both Hurricanes Gustave and Ike in our Chalmette, Louisiana

neighborhoods, residents were subjected to excessive shutdown/startup
emissions from the storm preparedness plans of both neighboring refineries
EXXON dba Chalmette Refinery, LLC and Murphy Oil Meraux refinery.  The
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality had secured the community's
air monitors in preparation of both storms and the air quality readings
didnot resume until sometime after Ike.  Residents believe the air
monitoring would have shown high toxic readings during these
shutdown/startup incidents; excess emissions that could be reduced with
available technology.

In the Hurricane Katrina the Murphy Oil tank lifted and the berm or
secondary containment dike failed.  The foundations of more than one tank
had settled over time and even before 2005 the tank farm had soil and ground
water concerns due to previous releases.

With the replacement of the damaged tanks and the pending tank farm
expansion further north into the flood plain closest to the MRGO, we
requested improvements not only with controls and monitors for emissions and
releases but also for soil subsidence mitigation, berm improvements and
anchoring of tanks to prevent another catastrophic chemical spill.  

We believe these are reasonable requests given the known risks. Residents
who have returned to restore their lives and revitalize their community are
still dealing with the consequences of the oil spill.  Heavy industry(s)
that have returned to do business are expected to rebuild safer and smarter
and to operate on a more responsible level.

Suzanne Kneale
concerned citizens around Murphy
http://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-lesson-lea
rned.html