air quality alerts

 Both the Chalmette Vista and the Chalmette-Meraux areas of St Bernard Parish were subjected to toxic air emissions with in the last several days.

Valero Energy's Meraux refinery experienced a days-long flaring event that at times emitted dark clouds and high flames. LDEQ's network of air monitors does not include a NAAQS comparable source classified air monitor in that area; given wind conditions and lack of appropriate monitoring, it is uncertain at this time if this incident caused an exceedance of air quality standards. There was no alert made to the community. 

Heavy industrial sources in the Chalmette Vista area emitted toxic air emissions as measured at the LDEQ Chalmette Vista monitor as high levels of sulfur dioxide and an exceedance of air quality standards for the same. On April 14 2024, the Chalmette Vista air monitoring station measured sulfur dioxide one hour readings above the NAAQS standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb). The data from the monitoring station indicates the one hour average spiked above 77 ppb and the 5-minute interval levels of sulfur dioxide were as high as 119 ppb.

https://airquality.deq.louisiana.gov/Data/Site/CHALMETTEVISTA/Date/2024-04-14

https://internet.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/DIVISIONS/AIR-MONITORING/AIR-MONITORING-DATA-WITH-INTERVAL-5-OR-10-MINUTES  (select Chalmette Vista site and date range 04 14 2024 to 04 14 2024)

these wetlands are worth preserving

 

preserve and protect our wetlands

Parish residents want a public greenspace area with natural areas left pristine and well parochial interests from another parish want heavy industrial use for a pie in the sky narrative. The public greenspace also protects the residential district's historical elementary school, preserves wetlands, and assists with flood waters retention plans.

Save Our St. Bernard #stopportnola SOS Save Our St Bernard Group Forum https://www.facebook.com/groups/850309112536823/

Clearly, this massive terminal does not belong in residential

The State of Louisiana and our nation can progress in international terminaling, container and intermodal rail ports at other more suitable site selections, without expropriation, environmental racism, or the deleterious public health, safety, welfare, environmental, and socio-economic impacts.  

PBF Energy Chalmette finally improving again

 

In communities already overburdened with air pollution and frequent weather events, “every single unauthorized emission event is consequential”, every excess emission amount is harmful.

As EPA concurrently reviews several parts of LDEQ’s air regulations’ SIP (State Implementation Plan to comply with the Clean Air Act), it should implement a comprehensive approach, including permanent solutions for both the sulfur dioxide and benzene levels, and consideration of the cumulative effects of the many different chemicals in the air we are forced to breathe, the public health, human risk factors, and quality of life consequences.

 

PBF Energy's Chalmette Refining benzene update

Under EPA's "Refinery Rules" for benzene emissions, LDEQ sent letter dated February 16 2024 EDMS document 14192807 to PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery because it's rolling annual average Δ C of 14 ug/m3 benzene as of December 27, 2023 was still above the ΔC 9ug/m3 action level; the two week sampling period ΔC 1.8 ug/m3 for December 12 through December 27, 2023 shows improvements, finally. 

• The EPA's benzene action level is 9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) for the annual average Δc. An exceedance of the action level is not a violation of the regulation, rather it requires the refinery to conduct a root cause analysis and take corrective action to reduce emissions.

PBF Energy's Chalmette fence line benzene monitors have reported elevated benzene levels for a number of years now; some of the higher 2-week sampling data reported as high as 120 ug/m3 benzene 2-week average. There is no public access to the real time benzene levels. The public can access the averaged data on the EPA online dashboard website; use the upper menu to select "refinery name", scroll to lower right, select the tool "monitors" for display of the monitor locations at selected refinery. Switch or toggle that tool to "monitor trend" for display of the two week averages at each monitor since 2019. 

Although as of 3rdQ 2023 the EPA's online dashboard illustrates some improvements at PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery, there's plenty room for improvements to protect public health, especially given PBF Energy's close proximity to vulnerable populations.

In Chalmette, PBF Energy is adjacent to a local Sheriff Department's substation, adjacent to the parish jail, adjacent to the pedestrian / vehicle traffic river ferry, just tenths of a mile from OLPS Elementary School and less than a mile from Chalmette Elementary; it's across the street from family friendly neighborhoods and less than half a mile from a number of mobile home / trailer court neighborhoods. 

Our children deserve better. PBF Energy could be a good neighbor, lower its benzene emissions, and invest in St Bernard -- invest in the enhanced advanced fence line monitoring PBF Energy provides at some of its other refineries. Here are just two examples: select upper menu "monitors" and select chemical.   https://www.torranceair.org/ 

https://www.fenceline.org/martinez/

https://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2024/02/benzene-update.html

PBF Energy benzene update

 PBF Energy's Chalmette Refining benzene update

Under EPA's "Refinery Rules" for benzene emissions, LDEQ sent letter dated February 16 2024 EDMS document 14192807 to PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery because it's benzene fence line monitoring data for 4th Quarter 2023 is above the annual rolling average of  Δ 9ug/m3. At this time there is no public access to 4thQ 2023 data. Below graph displays PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery's average benzene concentration difference for the previous year Sept 2022 through September 19 2023. A red flag indicates a value above the 9ug/m3 action level.

LDEQ requested detailed information on 4thQ 2023 2-week sample results, identified causes of all the benzene levels above Δ9ug/m3, and detailed information on root cause analysis / corrective action plans. That information is forthcoming.

• The EPA's benzene action level is 9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) for the annual average Δc. An exceedance of the action level is not a violation of the regulation, rather it requires the refinery to conduct a root cause analysis and take corrective action to reduce emissions.

The 2-week benzene sample results for each monitor along an oil refinery fence line can be viewed on EPA's benzene fence line monitoring online dashboard, using the upper menu, select the refinery name, scroll down to the monitor tool / map and toggle to monitor trend. EPA's dashboard has not yet updated PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery's 4thQ 2023 2-week sample results. 

PBF Energy's Chalmette fence line monitors have reported elevated benzene levels for a number of years now; some of the higher 2-week sampling data reported as high as 120 ug/m3 benzene 2-week average. There is no public access to the real time benzene levels.

Although as of 3rdQ 2023 the EPA's online dashboard illustrates some improvements at PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery, there's plenty room for improvements to protect public health, especially given PBF Energy's close proximity to vulnerable populations.

In Chalmette, PBF Energy is adjacent to a local Sheriff Department's substation, adjacent to the parish jail, adjacent to the pedestrian / vehicle traffic river ferry, just tenths of a mile from OLPS Elementary School and less than a mile from Chalmette Elementary; it's across the street from family friendly neighborhoods and less than half a mile from a number of mobile home / trailer court neighborhoods. 

Our children deserve better. PBF Energy could be a good neighbor, lower its benzene emissions, and invest in St Bernard -- invest in the enhanced advanced fence line monitoring PBF Energy provides at some of its other refineries. Here are just two examples: select upper menu "monitors" and select chemical.   https://www.torranceair.org/ 

https://www.fenceline.org/martinez/

https://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2024/02/benzene-update.html

Natural gas exports increase domestic costs

 If we have an abundance of Louisiana natural gas and increasingly more extraction of Louisiana natural gas, then why are domestic natural gas prices increasing?

From Forbes Reporting: 

The recent pause on pending permits to export LNG to non-FTA countries could save US consumers up to $18 Billion in new annual energy costs. The more LNG facilities and the more LNG export terminals built along the Gulf Coast, the more upward pressure on domestic prices, because the oil and gas companies sell to the highest bidder, "regardless of what that costs U.S. consumers." That certainly is not in the public's interest, and not in the interest of the U.S. economy.

""And while increased energy security for European allies in the face of Russian aggression has been used to justify building these LNG export terminals, it’s a red herring. New LNG export terminals take years to come online, doing nothing for near-term needs but locking in long-term climate pollution and consumer costs.""

U.S. Gas Prices Could Spike 14% Without Biden’s Pause On New LNG Export Terminals

Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology

Contributor We are a nonpartisan climate and clean energy policy think tank.

Silvio Marcacci

Contributor Senior Director, Communications

where not to put a park

Time and again, we have seen the lengths previous administrations and council members went to satisfy the demands of the oil and gas industry; even pushing people out of their homes in the name of "greenspace", only to gift multiple zoning changes that allowed industrial plant incursion into the neighborhood in exchange for the promise of a ball park or other community investment.  

Before deciding on a ballpark location adjacent to an oil refinery hazardous waste unit and within close proximity to its tank farm and refining units, comprehensive soil, ground water, and air sampling results should be made publicly available and studied; to ignore the public health implications in its alternative site selection process only makes the parish further liable. Recent ground water test results indicate higher chemical levels in the area of the solid waste earthen conveyance ditch, impoundments, and settlement ponds. This hazardous solid waste processing area is adjacent to the vacant "greenspace" lots that some believe should be utilized for recreational use, including youth sports. [1]  Public access to the real time benzene fence line monitoring data should be obtained, and the plant should install additional fence line monitoring for its other chemical emissions, also with public access to the data, similar to the fence line monitoring provided at its facilities in other states. [2]

____________________________________________________

Fox to be watchman for the chicken coop

 Governor Landry's proposal "calls for moving the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, now in the Department of Public Safety, and the Office of State Lands, now part of the state Division of Administration, into DENR, according to a Landry executive order." -- Mark Schleifstein   NOLA . com Environmental Reporter Jan 9 2024

As Governor Jeff Landry recommends to move CPRA back to the DNR, which is now the Dept of Energy and Natural Resources, it should give us all pause to realize oil & gas interests would have an obvious conflict of interest if hired to both oversee the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) and to protect our coastal environment  So, what does our future hold if both LDNR and CPRA are merged? Especially what would that mean with CPRA coastal permits for storing carbon underground, or for LNG?

Submit public comments online or via email BEFORE February 21 2024. Submissions received after February 21, 2024 will not be considered prior to the First Report

Reference Executive Order JML - 13  https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/ExecutiveOrders/2024/JML-Executive-Order-13.pdf

Submit public comments online here: https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/form/home/52 

Submit public comments via email DriveInitiative@la.gov with subject line "EO-JML-13 COMMENTS"

All comments and feedback will become part of the public record. Please refrain from submitting any information that you do not want to be publicly accessible. By submitting any information, you acknowledge that it becomes part of the public domain.

As Phil Johnson eloquently stated stated over 40 years ago, when the LDNR environmental protection responsibilities transferred to a new cabinet level department, the LDEQ: 

PITY THE POOR CHICKENS. 

"This new department [LDEQ] would take environmental affairs away from the Department of Natural Resources. It always seemed such an obvious conflict of interest. The Department of Natural Resources is run by people from the oil and gas industry, in the interests of the oil and gas Industry. To have them also monitor our environment is like hiring a fox to be watchman for the chicken coop. Pity the poor chickens."

WWL TV -- Phil Johnson Daily Editorial

1024 N Rampart St

New Orleans LA

February 1, 1983 Phil Johnson

It is good and It is about time. The announcement yesterday that Louisiana will finally get a full-blown, cabinet level department to deal with our environment. Or, to quote Governor Treen: "The time has come for us to focus on our environmental problems." Actually, that time came many years ago. But this is not the time to quibble. Let us be thankful that someone finally had the good sense to realize that we are threatening to kill ourselves because we are neglecting to take proper care of our environment. The announcement means that a new Department of Environmental Protection will be formed and funded -if the Legislature approves. And it is difficult to see how our lawmakers cannot approve. This new department would take environmental affairs away from the Department of Natural Resources. It always seemed such an obvious conflict of interest. The Department of Natural Resources is run by people from the oil and gas industry, in the interests of the oil and gas Industry. To have them also monitor our environment is like hiring a fox to be watchman for the chicken coop. Pity the poor chickens. The proposal for a Department of Environmental Pro-tection and protection is the key word here -is good news indeed. We look forward to its approval and its operation.

benzene update

 PBF Energy Benzene Update 

EPA Benzene fence line monitoring online dashboard illustrates benzene levels around PBF Energy's Chalmette refining are finally improving since elevated levels first reported in 2019/2020  under EPA's benzene fence line monitoring requirements for oil refineries. 

Public health in Louisiana would be greatly improved, and industries would save money with timely alerts to leaks, if fence line monitoring were required at all industry.

For 3rd Quarter 2023 PBF Energy reports most all the fence line monitors' two week average at or below the EPA Action Level of 9.0 ug/m3 benzene. The refinery's "annual average" is reported above the EPA Action level for three of the annual averages in the 3rd Quarter 2023, with the higher annual averages being 14 ug/m3, last reported September 05 2023. 

PBF Energy' "annual average" of all monitors averages, or " △C" , is displayed on the EPA dashboard as 9 ug/m3 for the past 12 months ending September 19 2023.  This is the most up to date information available. There is no public access to real time levels of benzene exposure.

Some of 2023's "two week averages" above the 9.0 action level (through September 19 2023) are:

Monitor 09  

May 17 2023 120 ug/m3 benzene [one hundred twenty]

July 25 2023 11 ug/m3 benzene

August 22 2023 15 ug/m3 benzene 

and Sept 5 2023 10 ug/m3 benzene

Monitor 11

May 2 2023 28 ug/m3

May 17 2023 13 ug/m3

June 27 2023 15 ug/m3

July 25 2023 11 ug/m3

Monitor 12 

June 13 2023 14 ug/m3

June 27 2023 9 ug/m3

July 25 2023 11 ug/m3

Only time will tell if PBF Energy is able to be a good neighbor, respect the people who live on the other side of the fence line, and control benzene emissions. It is uncertain if benzene exposure information will ever be made available to the community on a more timely basis. There is no public access to real time data, although PBF Energy makes this information available at some of its other locations [1] [ http://www.fenceline.org/martinez/index.php ]. 

After years-long high benzene level reports there is still no public information from EPA, LDEQ, or PBF Energy on where the suspected offsite sources of the benzene is located.

PBF Energy continues to invest in additional monitoring and leak detection programs at its Chalmette refinery. PBF Energy's January 4 2024 report to LDEQ indicates previous tank seal issues and a program to continue additional monitoring to detect tank fitting leaks will be implemented in 1st Quarter 2024 [EDMS document 14123829]  PBF's 3rd Quarter 2023 report includes all sample periods in 3rd Q 2023 in which the sample period's "annual average" of all monitors averages, or  △C was greater than 9ug/m3, and are reported as high as 14 ug/m3 benzene for the sample period ended September 05 2023. These types of publicly available reports will not likely be required once the facility's △C is maintained at or below the action level of 9 ug/m3. Hopefully, PBF Energy will continue its upgraded monitoring and detection programs.

On the EPA dashboard, public information is made available (after some time delay for quality assurances) on each of the facility's fence line monitor's two week average.

Access this data on the  EPA Dashboard website; upper menu select "refinery name": and scroll to the lower right, select the tool "monitors" for display of the physical location of each monitor at the selected refinery.

Switch that tool to "monitor trend" for display of the two week averages for each monitor at a facility.

Here is the display of each monitor at PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery as accessed in Late January 2024, for the September 19 2023 data.

Here is the "monitor trend" tool display for the 2-week average benzene level at each monitor, as accessed in Late January 2024 for the September 19 2023 data

This monitor trend data on the EPA Dashboard should be available regardless of annual average levels.

Link to other PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery benzene level updates since BEFORE 2021

General information on refinery fence line monitoring and how local communities hold industry accountable for emissions.

https://www.spectrumenvsoln.com/case-studies/california-fenceline-monitoring/

https://www.aqmd.gov/home/news-events/community-investigations/torrance-air

[1] Here are a couple of links to PBF Energy fence line monitor websites with real time data at some of its other locations. PBF Energy and Valero Energy could be good neighbors and make the same investment in fence line monitors in St Bernard Parish. Some of these monitors include a lower threshold for detection to assist with offsite odors. Unfortunately, in St Bernard Parish, detection of offsite odors is generally dependent on a community member complaining to the facility and the facility dispatching refinery personnel to drive around the surrounding neighborhoods to see if they smell anything. That is just backwards, especially given the more advanced technology used at other facilities.  Louisiana is can do better to protect its citizens.

PBF Energy Martinez CA http://www.fenceline.org/martinez/index.php 

PBF Energy Torrance CA https://torc.data.spectrumenvsoln.com/data 

And another industry’s example (upper menu select Measurement, and then select the chemical): Valero Energy Wilmington DE https://wilmingtonrefinerymonitoring.org/

Army Corps considers permit to create new fenceline community

 St Bernard Parish is an overburdened, underserved community with nonattainment sulfur dioxide designation, benzene fenceline levels above EPA's action level, and harmful diesel particulate matter pollution. 

Port NOLA wants to build a massive port complex in the middle of the Violet residential district and create more fenceline neighborhoods.  Similar to how the interstate highway system divided communities, this port complex would have detrimental affects on residents and their future. The applicant has already asserted what residents take as a threat:  sell your elementary school to us, or we will just build around it. Our children deserve better.

The USACE should not permit such facilities in residential districts. Port facilities emit harmful pollutants from equipment, vehicles and marine vessels, especially those that burn diesel fuel. Even with upgraded equipment, the emissions will be significantly more than what residents in Violet are exposed to now; it will have an immediate and permanent negative impact on public health outcomes. 

carbon storage is not reducing carbon at the source

 

With 22 carbon storage proposals soon to fall under Louisiana’s purview, local environmental advocates say they’re concerned about the safety and regulation of these projects, given the relatively new practices involved and the proposed placement of many of these projects in Cancer Alley.

As Louisiana takes over, here’s a rundown of what carbon storage is, the state’s timeline for reviewing these projects and where to give public input.

As Louisiana takes permitting reins for carbon storage, here’s what you need to know

BY: LUE PALMER, VERITE - JANUARY 16, 2024

living next to heavy industry

 Louisiana just adding to the number of historically black communities that have become extinct due to the intrusion of infrastructure projects, heavy industrial use, and petrochemical industries

Update from our friends and neighbors in St James

“Once again, the state of Louisiana prioritizes polluters over people, but this battle extends beyond Louisiana. We stand at the forefront of climate change, embodying America's authentic struggle for climate and environmental justice.  Living next to Formosa Plastics, with the perpetual risk to our health, livelihood, security and hard-earned property is beyond our imagination. Formosa Plastics would wipe the 5th district of St. James off the map, adding to the number of historically black communities that have become extinct due to the intrusion of petrochemical industries."

https://mailchi.mp/garywatsonllc.com/milestone-victory-in-protecting-free-speech-and-the-right-of-assembly-in-cancer-alley-and-the-american-south-10435348?e=294162b837

https://risestjames.org/media

NO PONO

 

SOS Save Our St Bernard SOS Save Our St Bernard

this massive facility does not belong in St Bernard Parish  this massive facility does not belong in St Bernard

Newly released report for international ports with intermodal container and rail terminals in Louisiana 

Critical Development Issues Overview by Vickerman and Associates, LLC

Public health, safety, welfare, environmental compliance, and environmental justice should be of paramount concern in addressing port development sites and operating scenarios for future Southeast Louisiana port development. Louisiana port stakeholders and the citizens of Louisiana expect these issues to be addressed thoroughly. 

• The context of significant port development going forward should encompass the entire southeast Louisiana region, and clearly include the future prospects of other proposed prominent Louisiana public ports in southern Louisiana. 

• It would be a mistake to approach the future of a major strategic port plan and distribution hub in Louisiana with a theme of one site or region to be considered to the exclusion of all others. 

• A realistic statewide strategic master plan of mega port development for the State seems logical and it should begin with deliberate planning that blends the values and objectives of Louisiana’s citizens and marine industry stakeholders/investors/operators in a creative, yet pragmatic port development proactive planning process. 

• What is needed is deliberate value-added inspired planning of future port infrastructure development that rigidly follows a discipline of blending and leveraging the State’s desire for environmental quality of life values with the State’s interests in quality economic development. Such a port planning exercise could lead to a national best in class model for large multi-modal port transportation infrastructure development programing in the U.S. 

massive facility does not belong in St Bernard

 

No More Night Trains

 

https://www.nola.com/opinions/letters-louisiana-international-terminal-benefits-no-one/article_eafe98da-a9a4-11ee-aee1-bb3c47c66d29.html