This Chalmette plant has been spewing sulphur dioxide for years; now EPA is taking action.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy intervened for company in 2019, delaying federal enforcement
"The persistence of toxic emissions from the [Rain Carbon CII petroleum coke calcining] plant, eight years after it admitted fault, illustrates the slow pace of enforcement in a state with long history of relying on industry for jobs and tax revenue." -- Tristan Baurick
In addition to an unacceptable slow pace of environmental protection for air quality, the exposed communities are further harmed with even more particulate matter when this plant is granted permit variances. Sulfur and particulate matter emissions combine and become even more harmful for those of us who breathe with lungs. Particulate matter PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide commonly co-exist in the atmospheric environment, and epidemiological studies have linked air pollution to the development of neurodegenerative disorders, in addition to increased morbidity from cardiopulmonary diseases. These are diseases the LDEQ and EPA could be protecting us from.
Rain CII Carbon is a petroleum coke calciner, located adjacent to the PBF Energy Chalmette refinery (former Tenneco). Rain CII seems challenged to achieve its Title V permit limits and its State implement plans (SIP). Rain CII operates on a permit which seems to have a permanent variance of 500 annual operating hours for bypasses of the steam boiler and baghouse that allows the pyro-scrubber to vent directly to the atmosphere; this direct venting often appearing as a purple colored discharge. LDEQ still renews the variance and grants additional variance operating hours, often without public notice.
Post Hurricane Ida August 2021, LDEQ granted Rain CII a 30 day permit variance for 720 additional bypass hours with additional particulate matter emissions at 23.80 tons PM10 and 22.85 tons PM2.5. According to the variance, Rain CII reported: Due to Hurricane Ida, Rain sustained significant roof damage to building that houses the steam turbine, and the plant was without power. As such, Rain could not utilize the energy side of the plant, which includes the waste heat boiler. To operate the plant, Rain needed to vent from the Pyroscrubber Stack until damages repaired. If not granted this variance, Rain pleaded the forced shutdown for an extended period of time to repair damages would lead to severe economic hardship. LDEQ granted this permit.
Now in November, Rain CII again applies for a permit variance for 720 additional bypass hours for 30 days in the beginning of next year, 2022; if granted, this variance will also result in additional particulate matter emissions. According to the application, Rain CII reported it needed to make extensive repairs to its waste Heat Boiler. The boiler repairs will coincide with a scheduled plant turnaround but will take an additional four weeks to complete. If the Hot Stack cannot be utilized during this repair time then Rain will be forced to shutdown for an extended period of time, which will lead to severe economic hardship on Rain.
Rather than protect public health and require industry to make repairs and conduct turnarounds without bypassing pollution controls, the LDEQ further burdens the surrounding communities.
EPA needs to step in and step it up.
Rain CII Carbon variance LDEQ EDMS document 12891265 dated September 9 2021 https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=12891265
Rain CII Carbon variance application LDEQ EDMS document dated November 16 2021 https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=13008218
