another lesson learned

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.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/05/AR2008100500602.html

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.