Wilma Subra, LEAN's super Technical Adviser has made More magazine's 2012 Fierce List!
The BP Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and burned in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 50 miles from the coast of Louisiana on April 20, 2010. Eleven workers were killed. The rig sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Earth Day, April 22, 2010. Large quantities of Louisiana Sweet Crude were released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Macondo well for 87 days.
This morning (March 22, 2012), Just a little over one month after the EPA announced new rules on regulating pollution from plants producing polyvinyl chloride, an explosion, chemical release, and fire was reported at Westlake Chemical's Geismar Vinyls Complex near Geismar, LA in Ascension Parish.
"Incidents like this one highlight why LEAN has worked hard for 26 years to demand that the industrial facilities in Louisiana be held to the strictest environmental and safety standards possible," said Marylee Orr, Executive Director of Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), "Our experiences have shown us that fair but stringent and consistent oversight and regulation is necessary to reduce the number of these kinds of incidents as well as 'everyday' emissions. It is not too much to ask that the health and safety of our communities be protected."
While the fire is reported to be under control, residents are concerned about the possibility of exposure to the chemicals released during the incident. Residents are also concerned by any ongoing releases that may have resulted from the explosion and fire.
Jean Kelly, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Quality said, "the plant was releasing vinyl chloride monomer, hydrochloric acid, chlorine and hydrochloric acid solution," in an interview with the Times-Picayune.
Beauregard Parish Proposed Amending and Re-Enacting of Ordinance 5-81
Permit Process for Use of Parish Roads for Dredging and Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration within Beauregard Parish
Comments on the Proposed Amended Ordinance 5-81
The proposed amendments to Ordinance 5-81 are focused on concerns of possible damage to parish roads as a result of increasing activity due to exploration of oil, gas and minerals and the associated increase in heavy vehicles. The following comments are provided to strengthen the proposed amended ordinance and/or suggestions to be included in an additional ordinance to safeguard and protect the environment of Beauregard Parish and the health of the citizens of Beauregard Parish.
Technical Considerations for Hydraulic Fracturing and Groundwater Protection
Baseline Testing of Ground Water
- Perform Testing of water wells before oil and gas activity occurs
- Determine quality of ground water
- Identify chemicals currently in the ground water source prior to horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale gas plays
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program released data for the calendar year 2010. The 6 greenhouse gases required to be reported consist of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and the fluorinated gases PFC-14, PFC-116 and HFC-23. In the United States, carbon dioxide accounted for 95% of the greenhouse gas emissions, methane accounted for 4% and nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases 1%.
Human Health Impacts Associated with Chemicals and Pathways of Exposure from the Development of Shale Gas PlaysBy: Wilma Subra Subra Company/Earthworks Board Member
January 9, 2012
To view the presentation information please read more.
On August 13, 2011 "tar logs" were collected by LEAN members from the shore of Ship Island off the coast of Mississippi. The tar logs, as they are being called, are brick sized globs of petroleum hydrocarbons that have been rolled into a cylindrical "log" shape by wave action. Samples of the tar logs were sent to a commercial laboratory for analysis.
On December 5th, 2011, The Sierra Club, Louisiana Environmental Action Network, the Steps Coalition and Mississippi Coalition for Vietnamese-American Fisher Folk and Families sponsored an educational forum to discuss the BP Oil Disaster and its impacts to our environment and communities, and how Gulf Coast researchers are addressing these concerns.
