PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery Title V Permit Renewals

LDEQ PUBLIC NOTICES

PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery 

Title V Part 70 operating air permits 

Renewals and Modifications

1-- No 1 Crude/Coker Units

AI # 1736 Permit 3018-V7 Activity No PER20210007 
Permit Renewal and Modification for the No. Crude/Coker Units
This renewal updates emissions from the units based on the current operating data; Toxic air pollutant (TAP) emissions from the heaters are speciated.

Comments and requests for public hearings must be received by 

4:30pm Thursday, December 26, 2024 

via email to LDEQ, Public Participation Group 

deq.publicnotices@la.gov
REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 3018-V7 Activity No PER20210007
View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14554993
https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14554993

2 --  No 1 and No 2 Flares
AI # 1736 Permit 3016-V5 Activity No PER20210014 

Permit Renewal and Modification for the No 1 and No 2 Flares
This renewal permit includes 1) updates to the emissions calculations because of updated emissions factors; 2) updates to the specific requirements are applicable; and  3) reclassify No 1 Flare Startup/Shutdown (EQT0269) as an alternate operating scenario (SCN0005).

Comments and requests for public hearings must be received by 

4:30pm  Monday December 30, 2024 via email to LDEQ, Public Participation Group deq.publicnotices@la.gov
REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 3016-V5 Activity No PER20210014
View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14556566
https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14556566

3 -- FCC Unit and Alkylation Unit

AI# 1736 Permit 3022-V9 Activity PER20210020

Permit Renewal and Modification for the FCC Unit and Alkylation Unit

Emissions from the units were recalculated based on updated emissions factors; applicable requirements revised based on updated regulations.

Comments and requests for public hearings must be received by

4:30pm Monday, December 30, 2024 via email to LDEQ Public Participation Group

deq.publicnotices@la.gov

REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 3022-V9 Activity PER20210020

View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14559749

https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14559749

4 -- HCU PT3 RF3 LEP Units

AI# 1376 Permit 3015-V6 Activity PER20210012

Permit Renewal and Modification for Hydrocracker Unit, Pretreater No 3 Unit, Reformer No 3 Unit, and Light Ends Plant (HCU PT3 RF3 LEP Units)

In addition to renewing the permit, proposes to revise/update emission factors, remove sources which were added to the PTU/RDU Units permit, segregate fugitive emissions into two source (fugitives and wastewater collection systems), remove hydrocracker splitter reboiler and revise/update for regulatory requirements.

Comments and requests for public hearings must be received by

4:30pm Monday, December 30, 2024 via email to LDEQ Public Participation Group

deq.publicnotices@la.gov

REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 3015-V6 Activity PER20210012

View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14559745

https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14559745

5 -- Aromatic Units

AI# 1376 Permit 3017-V7 Activity PER20210015

Permit Renewal and Modification for Aromatics 

In addition to renewing the permit, requests to update emissions limitations of storage tanks and add hazardous air pollutant emissions limits

Comments and requests for public hearing must be received by

4:30pm Thursday, January 9, 2025 via email to LDEQ Public Participation Group

deq.publicnotices@la.gov

REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 3017-V7 Activity PER20210015

View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14569254

https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14569254

6 -- Permit 2933-V8 Activity PER20210002  

Permit Renewal and Modification for No 2 Crude/Coker Units

Revise emissions based on refined calculation methods and updated emissions factors

Comments and requests for public hearing must be received by

4:30pm Thursday, January 16, 2025 via email to LDEQ Public Participation Group

deq.publicnotices@la.gov

REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 2933-V8 Activity PER20210002

View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14572661

https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14572661

7 -- Permit 3011-V5 Activity PER20210008

Permit Renewal and Modification for Cat Feed Hydrotreater, No 1 Pretreater No 1 Reformer and Gasoline Hydrotreating Unit 

Update emissions rates with revised updated emission factors, and, update emissions rates and operating hours associated with increased throughput.

Comments and requests for public hearing must be received by

4:30pm Thursday, January 23, 2025 via email to LDEQ Public Participation Group

deq.publicnotices@la.gov

REFERENCE AI#1376 Permit 3011-V5 Activity PER20210008

View Proposed Permit EDMS document 14585615

https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14585615

St Bernard Parish & Sulfur Dioxide

 

LDEQ to submit to EPA its revised State Plan for Sulfur Dioxide

Comments Due November 26th  

See LDEQ's pubic notice below

On June 2, 2010, EPA strengthened the primary National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Sulfur Dioxide (SO2).

EPA revised the primary SO2 NAAQS by establishing a new health based 1- hour standard at a level of 75 parts per billion (ppb). 

As a result, the EPA designated St. Bernard Parish as nonattainment for the new NAAQS, and the air quality in St Bernard has remained nonattainment since. 

Per a recently public noticed DRAFT revised State plan to bring air quality in St Bernard into attainment, the new air dispersion models used by LDEQ resulted in concentrations of SO2 just below the 75 ppb national standard, with the "highest total impact" reported at 74.8 ppb

With such a small margin of safety, attainment status will require strict adherence to federal air permits. The situation may be even more precarious, as this coastal parish is subjected to more frequent and intense weather events that more often result in excess emissions from shutdown, startup, and malfunction events at the major sources.

Additionally, one of the plants, Rain CII Carbon's Chalmette calciner, is often described as the "lion's share" of the sulfur dioxide emissions. Rain's Chalmette calciner has been challenged in recent years to comply with its air permit's requirement to demonstrate compliance through stack testing. Reportedly, the testing probes were prone to melting under the high temperatures at the stack. 

The focus of the revisions to the SIP for SO2 heavily rely on the Rain CII calciner's ability to comply with a new air permit in an Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) between LDEQ and Rain CII Carbon LLC - Chalmette. The AOC is located in Appendix D of the DRAFT SIP; it has not yet posted to Rain's EDMS files, nor has it pubic noticed in the local newspaper.

The modeled impact for the SO2 SIP revision is based on Rain's waste heat boiler operated at a 900 pound per hour rate. We are completely dependent on LDEQ and EPA to get this right and to ensure compliance with air permits in our parish. They've had plenty of time since the 2010 Standard was established, and meanwhile, public health in our community has suffered.

PUBLIC NOTICE  

The Secretary of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) published a public notice in the Louisiana Register that the Office of Environmental Assessment, Air Planning
and Assessment Division, will submit to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) a revision to the Louisiana State
Implementation Plan (SIP) for sulfur dioxide. 

(2410Pot3 located at 1592 or page 176 of link https://www.doa.la.gov/media/3xcacocu/2410.pdf )

The revision is available for review via LDEQ’s electronic
document management service (EDMS), AI# 174156
document number 14513604 dated 10/18/2024
https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view?doc=14513604

or at LDEQ Headquarters, 602 North 5th Street in Baton Rouge

The SIP revision will implement standards required by the Clean Air Act for the nonattainment area. All interested persons may submit written comments concerning the revision no later than 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2024, to Arlys Dalton, Office of Environmental Assessment, P.O. Box 4314, Baton Rouge, LA. 70821-4314, or by E-mail at arlys.dalton@la.gov

EPA EJScreen Mapping Tools Update

 

Use this EPA EJScreen mapping tool to help identify environmental issues and areas that are disproportionately affected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZp3AWDJt5A

https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen

Launch the EJScreen tool  https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/

The map includes 13 Environmental Burden indicators on air quality or proximity to pollution sources. 

Under the Socioeconomic indicators tab, the first indicator is the Demographic index which includes two factors: low income and people of color. The second is Supplemental Demographic index, which includes low income, person with disabilities, education less than high school, limited English speaking, and low life expectancy. There are other Socioeconomic indicators such as, under age 5 and over age 64.

Looking at the Socioeconomic indicators together or individually will help identify socioeconomic issues the community might already be experiencing, and how susceptible the community might be to the environmental burdens.

There are supplemental indexes which combine the environmental and socioeconomic indicators; the intention of these indexes is to show where both environmental and socioeconomic conditions are disproportionately high. There are also indexes that show health disparities, climate related burdens, and, critical service gaps.

The map and indexes can be printed or shared in a pdf report.

Such reports could help decision makers better protect public health, safety, wellbeing, and quality of life in the communities they represent.

As an example:

In St Bernard Parish, the residential district around the Will Smith, Jr Elementary School, has a high national percentile of both the population under age 5 and the population over age 64.

Residents in Violet, Louisiana already experience low life expectancy, as indicated by the 90 to 95 national percentile.  

Currently, this residential district is subjected to diesel exhaust (NATA diesel PM) and PM2.5 particulate matter pollution above the national percentile 80 to 90 percent; some areas are exposed to these pollutants at the 90 to 95 national percentile. Each of these pollutants, diesel exhaust and PM2.5 particulate matter, are known lung carcinogens. Diesel exhaust and PM2.5 reduce lung function growth in children, are linked to premature death, and are linked higher risk to other cancers, including breast, liver, and lymphohematopoietic malignancies. 

 

which America are we building for?

Proposed first phases of a federal infrastructure project for a mega container port in Violet, Louisiana constructed around elementary school, playground, ballpark, and existing residential neighborhoods

Full build-out over one thousand acres forested wetlands previously proposed for community park and natural areas with nature walks

These wetlands are worth preserving

Anyone else wondering if the Biden - Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda was intended to repeat the past mistakes of further marginalizing underserved communities via federal infrastructure projects? 

Were USDOT discretionary grants meant to be the nail in coffin when funding mega container ports in the middle of existing residential districts? next to an elementary school, playground, and ball park?

Should the Investing in America Agenda include threats to local school districts to sell & relocate OR we'll just build around it?

Would any project that literally creates a physical divide and makes a fence line community from surrounding neighborhoods be considered a “shovel-worthy” goal of building an America for All?

Our State of Louisiana and our nation can progress in intermodal terminals without destroying the idyllic, rural-suburban community in Violet. Alternative business models with alternative sites and or the existing state ports working together would provide more efficient, safer means to meet business needs without creating new sacrifice zones.

DEMAND USACE conduct a Full EIS

DEMAND USDOT review its benefit cost analysis (BCA) 

NO PORT New Orleans

SOS Save Our St Bernard

https://www.facebook.com/SoStBernard/

Send Comments to: 

USACE wetlands permit application MVN-2021-00370-EG

Attn Project Manager Angelle V Greer
via email  angelle.v.greer@usace.army.mil 

LDEQ WQC application 240521-01
Attn Project Manager Elizabeth Hill
via email elizabeth.hill@la.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation - OST
Office of the Secretary
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Demand a Full EIS and BCA review on the significant adverse impact on the human habitat, including the disparate socio-economic affects and degrading public health and air quality from port pollution

Demand a public hearing and / or public meeting in Q&A format for decision makers to receive more input on the destruction of over one thousand acres forested wetlands and the irreparable damage to the community and our parish as a whole.

REFERENCE all Comments

MVN-2021-0270-EG
WQC 240521-01
OCM CUP20240330
MPDG Discretionary Grant INFRA

Board of Commissioners' Port of New Orleans

SOS Save our St Bernard

sostbernard.org

https://www.facebook.com/SoStBernard/

These wetlands are worth preserving

Reserve La highest risk of cancer in the State

 

Official Statement from the Concerned Citizens of St. John Parish

on Denka's Emergency Motion to Delay 90-Day Compliance Period

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 31, 2024

RESERVE, LOUISIANA - On April 9, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new rule designed to significantly reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from synthetic organic chemical manufacturing and polymers and resins plants. The rule targets harmful substances such as ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene, which have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer.

Here are the key implications for Denka Performance Elastomer:

1. Stricter Emission Limits: Denka, the largest chloroprene emitter in the U.S., must comply with tougher emission standards aimed at reducing cancer risks for nearby residents.

2. Fenceline Monitoring: The facility will be required to continuously monitor air quality at its perimeter, ensuring adherence to new standards and providing transparency on pollutant levels.

3. Compliance Timeline: Denka has been given 90 days to meet the new fenceline monitoring and ambient air standards, necessitating significant changes to its operations and control technologies.

Denka, located in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, produces neoprene and employs approximately 250 people. The plant, situated near an elementary school and in an area known as Cancer Alley, has been at the center of environmental and racial justice debates.

Denka's Response:

Denka has expressed concerns over the 90-day compliance deadline, calling it "illegal and politically motivated." The company argues that this timeframe is insufficient compared to the two-year deadline given to other facilities. Denka has filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals to stay the compliance period, warning that failure to extend the deadline may force the facility to shut down.

Community and Environmental Activists' Perspectives:

• “Over the last eight years, Denka has continued to poison the children at 5th Ward Elementary School and our surrounding community. Our loved ones of all ages are sick and dying but that is not a priority for this Billion Dollar Corporation.  This is a moment of reckoning,” said Robert Taylor, Founder & Director of The Concerned Citizens of St. John (CCSJ).  

• “We are pleased with the HON ruling and its 90-day deadline.  Our community has endured 56 years of toxic chloroprene emissions from DuPont and now Denka.  We should not have to endure another day.  The money Denka spent on lawyers appealing this suggested limit should have been spent on lowering emissions to a safe level for our community,” Tish Taylor, Program Manager CCSJ stated.  

• “I was raised on the fence line of Dupont/Denka and lost many of my family and neighbors. I don’t want the future generations of my family to suffer the consequences of chemical exposure as we did. We deserve better,” Tim Keller, Board of Directors, CCSJ.  

• “We live in fear, local governments in Louisiana could soon be allowed to shield business records from public.  These are complicated situations but the human toll is priority number one,” Larry Sorapuru, Board of Directors, CCSJ, emphasized.  

• Sharon Lavigne, founder of RISE St. James, honors the dedication of Denka workers and their families. "There's dignity in a day's work. Every day, hardworking Americans sacrifice themselves to provide for their families. We recognize the hard work of Denka employees and their commitment to their families. Our fight is for their health and well-being as much as it is for our community’s future. This is an opportunity for a just transition rooted in low-income communities of color, who see the need to phase out industries that harm workers, community health, and the planet. At the same time, we MUST provide just pathways for workers to transition to other jobs, with even better pay in alliance with fenceline and frontline communities."

Background:

In 2016, EPA held an emergency community meeting and reported that Reserve, La had the highest risk of cancer in the United States due to emissions of Chloroprene from Denka/Dupont. They suggested Denka should lower emissions to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air. CCSJ has diligently advocated for the safety of St. John Parish. We have traveled to Japan twice to speak directly to Denka’s Board of Directors but were met with open hostility. Profit is their priority.

The EPA's action follows a broader initiative by the Biden administration to address pollution in communities that disproportionately bear environmental burdens. The rule is expected to reduce cancer risks and improve public health protections.

This statement is issued by the Concerned Citizens of St. John Parish in support of the EPA's efforts to protect our community's health and well-being. We stand with environmental activists and residents in advocating for stringent regulations to ensure a safer environment for all.

ABOUT THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN PARISH

At CCSJ, our mission is to advocate for the health and safety of all citizens. Starting with our local councilmember, we are committed to holding government officials and industries accountable for the quality of our air, water, and soil.  Additionally, we strive to secure a safe and promising future for the children in our parish while providing leadership to advance our community in various aspects.  Please contact us directly with all inquiries and funding opportunities as we may require a signed letter of support including a wet signature.  

CONTACT INFORMATION

Robert Taylor

504-559-7304

Tish Taylor

504-417-4732

iluvlaplace@gmail.com

Carcinogenic diesel engine exhaust

 

diesel engine exhaust is classified as "Carcinogenic to humans"

PBF Energy's refinery in Chalmette, St Bernard Parish, and adjacent Rain Carbon CCI calciner are within a 3-mile radius of over 58,700 people, 39% low income, and 60% minority. 

Several areas of St Bernard Parish are exposed to a 95% to 99% national percentile diesel exhaust pollution (NATA diesel PM), and areas of St Bernard Parish which are not so exposed will be if the USACE and the State of Louisiana develop over one thousand acres forested wetlands into a massive international terminaling port.                 -- https://www.sostbernard.org/

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (AIRC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) One of its major goals is to identify causes of cancer. IARC classifies diesel engine exhaust as "Carcinogenic to humans." According to EPA, in addition to the lung cancer risk, there is significant potential for non-cancer health effects as well, based on the contribution of diesel particulate matter to ambient levels of fine particles. Exposure to fine particles contributes to harmful respiratory and cardiovascular effects, an to premature mortality.

From Our Friends and Fellow Residents in St James Parish and Members of RISE St James 

Chemical of the month --- PM 2.5     by Caitlion O. Hunter, Esq.

"The combination of high levels of PM in the air with other air pollutants in industrial areas is especially dangerous, since PM2.5 can form from or bind to metals and petrochemical pollution released into the atmosphere. Burning diesel as fuel releases a mix of incredibly small particles as well as carcinogenic chemicals; these two then bind together to make a PM that has been found to cause cancer in humans. "

A service program of RISE St. James; Caitlion O. Hunter, Esq.; Tim Schütz, PhD Researcher, Anthropology University of California, Irvine; and The Community Scientist (TCS) Research Team

benzene level updates

 

"Refineries with adjusted benzene levels over 9 micrograms per cubic meter, measured at their fencelines and calculated on an annual rolling average every two weeks, are required to conduct root-cause analyses to determine the source of the benzene emissions and then take action to reduce the pollution."

“Requiring companies to publicly disclose their fenceline monitoring results and to find and fix benzene pollution sources appears to be working,” said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project. “Although we and others are sometimes critical of EPA, this is an example of a success story of regulations working to helping to protect neighborhoods near refineries from a dangerous pollutant.”

This is a good first step, and hopefully all oil refineries make a commitment to maintain the lower benzene levels.

PBF Energy Chalmette has demonstrated Improved Benzene Levels in recent months, yet for its annual rolling average, PBF Energy Chalmette was 2nd highest in a national ranking by Environmental Integrity Project

https://environmentalintegrity.org/news/cancer-causing-benzene-pollution-from-u-s-refineries-down-significantly/

The benzene level at PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery was over the "action level" from early 2019 to early 2021 , and, has been above the "action level" for the past two years, "with an adjusted annual average of 14.67 micrograms in December." According to the Environmental Integrity Project report, PBF Energy's oil refinery in Chalmette has the second highest average in 2023.

PBF Energy's refinery in Chalmette, St Bernard Parish Louisiana is within a 3-mile radius of over 58,700 people, 39% low income, and 60% minority. St Bernard is also non-attainment for the one-hour health standard for sulfur dioxide, and several areas of St Bernard Parish are exposed to a 95% to 99% national percentile diesel exhaust pollution (NATA diesel PM).

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (AIRC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). One of its major goals ts to identify causes of cancer. IARC classifies diesel engine exhaust as "Carcinogenic to humans." According to EPA, in addition to the lung cancer risk, there is a significant potential for non-cancer health effects as well, based on the contribution of diesel particulate matter to ambient levels of fine particles. Exposure to fine particles contributes to harmful respiratory and cardiovascular effects, and to to premature mortality.

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. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdgg39tXdxI

A few days later, heavy industrial sources further west 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)

According to research reporting at ProPublica, Chalmette Louisiana residents in the neighborhoods near the PBF Energy Chalmette refinery and the Rain Carbon CII Chalmette calciner have "an estimated excess lifetime cancer risk from industrial sources of about 1 in 17,000."  "Over the five years ProPublica analyzed, the excess risk here has ranged from as low as 1 in 28,000 to as high as 1 in 12,000. In 2018, the risk was 1 in 12,000."

Meanwhile, lung health is at critical risk. A study by the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research ranks Chalmette Elementary School as low as the Third National Percentile for air quality, and nearby Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Pre-4 - 12th Grade Charter School for Science and Technology in Orleans Parish Lower 9th Ward in the 10th National Percentile for air quality. 

Our children deserve better. Changes to the State SIPs would result in immediate and significant improvements in air quality, public health outcomes, and quality of life, especially for residents who reside on the other side of the fence from these polluting plants.

The Most Detailed Map of Cancer Causing Industrial Air Pollution in the U.S.  by Al Shaw and Lylla Younes, additional reporting by Ava Kofman  November 2 2021 Updated March 15 2022

https://projects.propublica.org/toxmap/

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; its annual rolling average for the year 2023 ranged from Δ C of  21.9 ug/m3 to Δ C of 14.67 ug/m3 

• 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]

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