A crowd of almost 140 people gathered at the American Legion in Elk Point to listen to a presentation about oil refineries by Denny Larson of the Refinery Reform Campaign. Mr. Larson started the Refinery Reform Campaign in 2001 in an attempt to help create awareness about some of the environmental impacts caused by refineries. Larson himself has been an advocate for refinery issues since 1984.
Larson realizes that oil refineries are a fact of life in a modern society. His group is not opposed to the creation of new refineries but they feel there are much better locations for refineries than new greenfield locations such as Elk Point. Larson feels that it would be much better for people and the environment if oil companies were to refurbish older refineries and upgrade them with newer and cleaner technologies. This would help to clean up the local environment and reduce health risks for people living near existing refineries. Mr. Larson also points to the lack of infrastructure in Union County as another reason that the new refinery should be located in an area that is already accustomed to heavy industrial processes.
As for the concept of a “green” refinery, Larson feels that this is a misnomer and the term may have been created by a public relations firm. There is no way to refine oil without releasing some foreign substances into the environment. Although the new technology may make a new refinery cleaner than existing refineries, there is no way to bring the emissions to zero.
Larson went on explain about “fugitive emissions”. These are emissions from sources other than the smoke stack. Things such as valves, flanges and storage tanks are all subject to small leaks that will equate to large volumes of pollution over time. According to oil industry figures these fugitive emissions will total more than twice the emissions put out by the smoke stacks every year.
There is also the possibility of “upset”; emissions caused by fires, explosions and accidental spills at any refinery. During these accidents, many thousands of pounds of dangerous chemicals can be released in a short period of time. These dangerous spills often dump chemicals into the communities around refineries causing health problems. According to industry figures the emissions from upsets are five to six times greater than the emissions from the smoke stack.
Larson cited a recent example of this in the flooding of Coffeyville, KS. Heavy rains led to a flood that caused at least 1000 barrels of crude oil to be dumped from the Coffeyville Resources refinery into the Verdigris River last week. This oil has contaminated flood ravaged homes in the area and has led to fears that down stream drinking water supplies may be affected. According to Larson it may be months before the total impact of the spill is known.
If Hyperion is to build a new refinery in Elk Point, Larson would like to see them stay to their word and build a cleaner and greener refinery. He would like to see a large buffer zone in place so that not many people will be affected by the emissions. However, Larson is skeptical at this point since Hyperion has not been forthcoming with the results of their plans of how they are going to build the new refinery. Until the plans are revealed he does not know what the technology will actually be in the new refinery and if it is able to reduce emissions.
Larson encouraged the residents of the area to become aware of what a refinery means and also to hold Hyperion to the high standards that they are setting for themselves. He also said that the residents need to expect much from the state officials that will be involved with the permitting process. Larson said that today’s informational meeting will be one of many as Hyperion progresses with plans for their new refinery. |
