October 15
October 15, 2007
Ruberta LaCoste
October 17, 2007The state Department of Environmental Quality will meet in Gibson Thursday to discuss the oil-storage tanks Plains All American Pipeline is planning to build in the community.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Devon Keller gym in Gibson.
Plains’ plan to build one or more oil-storage tanks was attacked by residents living near the proposed storage site at the Terrebonne Parish Council Community Development and Planning Committee meeting last week.
Several of the residents said the tanks will be constructed near to homes, and that the containers could hold hazardous chemicals.
Doug Daigle from Gibson told the committee he received information from chemist and Louisiana environmental activist Wilma Subra.
“Toxic and hazardous wastes will be generated at the terminal,” he said
Daigle said Plains wants to construct four tanks in Gibson, although Parish Director of Planning Pat Gordon said the company is applying to build only one.
“Parish government is being told it’s one tank,” Daigle said. “Will the storage tanks create jobs? I doubt it. Will it be a safety hazard for Bayou Black? We request the council deny the permit.”
Bernadine Morgan, who lives on Bayou Black Dr., said the storage tank would be 50 feet high and should be located in a more remote site.
“I believe Plains has plans to put the oil-storage tank next to my home,” she said.
Morgan wondered whether hydrogen sulfide would be stored in the tank.
The gas is responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs, and is often released in sewers, swamps and well water, she said.
“It’s the smell of rotten eggs,” she said. “I don’t want to live where it may become known as ‘Cancer Alley.'”
Gibson resident Linda Aucoin, who owns a recreational vehicle park, told the council, “Nobody wants to inhale toxic chemicals.”
“If you allow them a permit, it will kill our business,” she said. “I send tax money in from my campground. It will kill everything. Deny a permit to Plains.”
Clayton Diaz of Patterson, who is a candidate for the state Senate from the 21st District, said hydrogen sulfide in concentrated form can cause an explosion.
Parish Councilman Harold Lapeyre wants an independent chemical analysis of the contents of the storage tanks.
He told Gordon, “These people have put up strong arguments against the permit. We need a third party to evaluate this. If we build a case to deny the permit, we need to be able to substantiate our position.
“If they comply with all the requirements, do we have a leg to stand on? If we deny the permit, we expose the parish to a potential lawsuit,” he added.
Lapeyre wants to ensure Plains follows regulations on benzene, a cancer-causing compound found in crude oil.
Councilmember Arlanda Williams said, “I do not support this and never will. Once again, we’re being played like a grand piano.”
“We’re in no rush to issue the permit,” Gordon said. He indicated his department has neither received all the necessary paperwork from Plains nor a report from the state Fire Marshal.
The committee voted to table the matter until more information can be obtained.
