Gibson residents continue fight against company’s plan to store oil tanks nearby

After two failed attempts to halt a Texas company from putting two storage tanks in their neighborhood, Gibson residents are trying a different tact.

The group is seeking help from the Terrebonne Parish Council with drafting a zoning petition in an attempt to stop Plains All American Pipeline from locating the tanks in Bayou Black subdivision.

“Isn’t there some kind of law you can pass that will protect the health and well-being of your citizens?” asked Doug Daigle, the 73-year-old Bayou Black Drive resident who initially brought his objections to the council in March. “The lack of zoning as an excuse for no legal way to deny a permit to install dangerous oil storage tanks near schools or residential areas is unbelievable.”

The proposed site for the tanks is also “no more than 15 feet from a drainage ditch that leads to Bayou Black, the source of the Terrebonne Parish water supply,” he argued.

“Do you want the environment and water supply of our parish to be destroyed, as it happened in St. Bernard Parish? Will there have to be a Murphy Oil disaster in this area before something is done to protect this parish?” he asked the council.

Daigle called on the council to direct the parish attorney, Courtney Alcock, to find a legal way to stop Plains All American’s proposed project.

However, Alcock said she has not received an official request from the company about situating oil storage tanks in Gibson.

In discussions with the state Department of Environmental Quality, Alcock said she did learn that Plains All American would have to meet a number of state and federal regulations for such a project.

“They will have to comply with a long list of highly regulated requirements, the main one, of course, is to describe in detail what is actually being stored in the tanks,” the attorney told Daigle.

The residents’ plight has gained support from Councilwoman Kim Elfert, who reaffirmed her support at last Wednesday night’s meeting.

“I’m like Mr. Daigle. This is America. There is something that can be done…I’ve read your letter, and I feel for you…why do we want this here?” Elfert asked. “This is not my district, but again, I have to implore you to get with your neighbors, and get approval for zoning, for your area.

“A lot of lawsuits come to pass over matters like this… [Zoning takes] the full force of the law in order to protect their residents and the integrity of their areas,” she added.

Council Clerk Paul Labat offered to assist Daigle in drafting a petition in favor of zoning in order to gain approval from the entire Gibson area.

Daigle and Bayou Black neighbors argue the tanks will, among other things, lower property values; increase health hazards because of the high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the tanks; create a dangerous hazard in the event of a disaster; and cause homeowner’s insurance rates to rise.

“This council, which represents the leadership for this parish, cannot ignore the safety and health issues to humans and the children of this parish, particularly if these tanks will contain

sour crude oil,” resident Patricia Newman said after the meeting.

Newman relocated to the Gibson area after Hurricane Katrina ravaged her Meraux home in St. Bernard Parish. Compounding the disaster, her house was inundated after the Murphy Oil spill.

“This council must protect the people who chose to elect them. They cannot win elections if all of their voters are sick or deceased,” she said.