2012 power outages
Valero's Meraux refinery has reported several power outages in 2012 that
resulted in emergency flaring releases to-date of over 23,000 pounds of sulfur
dioxide over the permitted amounts.
On May 2, 2012, although Valero reported a release of only 2,100 pounds of
sulfur dioxide, Valero's air monitor on Ventura Drive in Chalmette measured
sulfur dioxide levels in the neighborhood's air at 120 parts per billion SO2,
well over the EPA sulfur health standard of 75 ppb SO2. No alerts were sent
forth to residents.
Incident 139318 EDMS 8431647
In the July 21, 2012 startup from a downed electrical transformer, Valero's
air monitor on Ventura Drive measured hydrogen sulfide at 78 ppb H2S. Valero
has reported an estimated pollution release of 1,830 pounds SO2 and 19 pounds
hydrogen sulfide. Louisiana doesnot have a health standard for hydrogen
sulfide; the State of California limits air quality to 30 ppb H2S.
Incident 141430 EDMS 8482465
April 10, 2012 Valero reported a faulty transfer switch at the power
company's substation resulted in total refinery-wide power interruption. The
refinery lost all power, didnot have radios or telephones to communicate and
had only emergency backup lights. The "emergency" pollution releases
continued for over 94 hours . Valero's initial sulfur emission estimates of
4,000 pounds were later revised to 15,199 pounds SO2 and 135 pounds hydrogen
sulfide. The DEQ 'Meraux' Site monitor measured sulfur dioxide levels at 21 ppb.
Incident
138647 EDMS 8469365
(
Initial
estimate EDMS 8459094 )
April 2, 2012 Valero reported a lightning strike tripped the charge
pump on the hydrocracker unit, causing the safety shutdown of the unit and
subsequent startup. Estimated pollution releases were reported as: 4,500 pounds
sulfur dioxide and 49 pounds of hydrogen sulfide.
Incident
13850 EDMS 8424052
Link to Valero's Ventura Drive monitor:
http://lena.providenceeng.com/hourly.aspx
Link to DEQ's Site Data monitors, select "Meraux"
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/DIVISIONS/Assessment/AirFieldServices/AmbientAirMonitoringProgram/AirMonitoringData.aspx
Link to Valero's Ventura Drive air toxin sample results
http://lena.providenceeng.com/Documents.aspx
