BP (NYSE:BP) had denied a claim by a Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee that a unit at its Texas City refinery is leaking gas. They claim the assertions by the lawyer that it represents an "extreme hazard" are inaccurate, although they didn't deny refinery's Pipestill 3A unit was leaking.
A letter from a lawyer to the company demanded they shut down the unit, or he'll petition a court to force them to do it.
BP noted the lawyer also sent out a press release at the same time contacting them.
"There is no need for Mr. Buzbee to be involved in this matter and no need for him to go to court," BP spokesman Michael Marr said in an e-mail to the Houston Chronicle. "Galveston County citizens and community leaders should be skeptical of claims by a lawyer with a presumed financial motive to make them. The fact that Mr. Buzbee sent his letter to the press at the same time as he sent it to BP suggests that publicity may be another goal."
Marr added that BP has contacted numerous government agencies about the equipment mentioned by Buzbee, including the the Texas attorney general, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Galveston County district attorney, the county health district, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Consequently, BP said it's none of Buzbee's business.
Showing posts with label EPA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EPA. Show all posts
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
EPA Gives Enbridge (NYSE:EEP) Monday Noon Ultimatum
Enbridge (NYSE:EEP) workers are pushing hard to meet the Monday noon deadline given by the Environmental Protection Agency for the energy company to stop the flow of oil from the oil pipeline.
The oil pipeline leaking oil in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville.
On Friday, the oil had been leaking from the pipe at a rate of 200 to 600 gallons an hour, according to an EPA spokeswoman.
Enbridge spokesman Terri Larson said, "The leak site itself is contained but oil is continuing to drain out of the pipeline. As that oil drains out crews are cleaning it up."
The shutting down of the pipeline, which transports close to 459,000 barrels of oil a day from Superior, Wisconsin to Griffith, Indiana, has caused the price of oil to shoot up, based on the uncertainty as to when it'll be opened up again.
The oil pipeline leaking oil in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville.
On Friday, the oil had been leaking from the pipe at a rate of 200 to 600 gallons an hour, according to an EPA spokeswoman.
Enbridge spokesman Terri Larson said, "The leak site itself is contained but oil is continuing to drain out of the pipeline. As that oil drains out crews are cleaning it up."
The shutting down of the pipeline, which transports close to 459,000 barrels of oil a day from Superior, Wisconsin to Griffith, Indiana, has caused the price of oil to shoot up, based on the uncertainty as to when it'll be opened up again.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Enbridge (NYSE:EEP) Ordered to Stop Pipeline Leak by Monday
On Friday the Environmental Protection Agency ordered Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE:EEP) to stop the oil leak from the line located outside Chicago in the suburb of Romeoville.
According to EPA spokeswoman Anne Rowan, the pipeline is leaking from 200 to 600 gallons of crude an hour.
Terrance McGill, President of the Partnership said, "Crews worked through the night to contain the oil. As a result of their efforts, the site has now been isolated and the oil contained. No new oil is reaching the roadway, the nearby ditch or the retention pond. Enbridge expects to begin excavating the pipeline leak site today or early tomorrow."
Enbridge spokeswoman Terri Larson added, "The leak site itself is contained but oil is continuing to drain out of the pipeline. As that oil drains out crews are cleaning it up."
The EPA gave them till noon on Monday to stop the oil from draining from the pipeline.
According to EPA spokeswoman Anne Rowan, the pipeline is leaking from 200 to 600 gallons of crude an hour.
Terrance McGill, President of the Partnership said, "Crews worked through the night to contain the oil. As a result of their efforts, the site has now been isolated and the oil contained. No new oil is reaching the roadway, the nearby ditch or the retention pond. Enbridge expects to begin excavating the pipeline leak site today or early tomorrow."
Enbridge spokeswoman Terri Larson added, "The leak site itself is contained but oil is continuing to drain out of the pipeline. As that oil drains out crews are cleaning it up."
The EPA gave them till noon on Monday to stop the oil from draining from the pipeline.
Friday, August 20, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Fuel Leaking, Could Last Days - Weeks
In the Northwest Indiana city Hammond, there is a break in a BP (NYSE:BP) pipeline that has already leaked a minimum of 1,700 gallons of petroleum into the sewers. Officials are saying it could take days or even weeks to find the source and repair it.
The first signs showed up over the weekend when area residents noticed a smell of fumes. As of yet, there are not any signs that any has reached the waterways. It's to soon to know the full extent of soil and groundwater pollution.
Sam Borris, the on sight Environmental Protection Agency coordinator said, it's to early to determine the total amount that has leaked. "We can't put a number on it, but its not a super large spill. It seems to be rather manageable and contained currently," said Borris.
The first signs showed up over the weekend when area residents noticed a smell of fumes. As of yet, there are not any signs that any has reached the waterways. It's to soon to know the full extent of soil and groundwater pollution.
Sam Borris, the on sight Environmental Protection Agency coordinator said, it's to early to determine the total amount that has leaked. "We can't put a number on it, but its not a super large spill. It seems to be rather manageable and contained currently," said Borris.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
BP's (NYSE:BP) Allen Approved Over 74 Exemptions For Chemical Use
While we are all aware of BP's (NYSE:BP) use of the toxic chemical Corexit, documents have brought to light the excessive use of the chemical despite the Environmental Protection Agency's order to not use it. The order was given by the EPA on May 26th.
The documents, released by a congressional subcommittee states that BP was ordered to use the chemical sparingly and rarely. Coast Guard officials ignored this order, and allowed the company to use hundreds of thousands of dispersants in the Gulf.
There are over 74 documented cases that show the Coast Guard giving exemptions for the use of the chemical, despite the order against it. The time frame was only 48 days that these massive amounts of dispersants were used. One of the documents show that BP was actually given the "OK" to use more chemicals then what was even requested.
Thad Allen, the retired Coast Guard admiral who is in charge of leading the oil spill cleanup efforts defended his decision. He said that the overall use of the chemical dispersants dropped significantly after the EPA's order. Although, on some days the amount of surface oil warranted a "tactical" decision to use them.
The documents, released by a congressional subcommittee states that BP was ordered to use the chemical sparingly and rarely. Coast Guard officials ignored this order, and allowed the company to use hundreds of thousands of dispersants in the Gulf.
There are over 74 documented cases that show the Coast Guard giving exemptions for the use of the chemical, despite the order against it. The time frame was only 48 days that these massive amounts of dispersants were used. One of the documents show that BP was actually given the "OK" to use more chemicals then what was even requested.
Thad Allen, the retired Coast Guard admiral who is in charge of leading the oil spill cleanup efforts defended his decision. He said that the overall use of the chemical dispersants dropped significantly after the EPA's order. Although, on some days the amount of surface oil warranted a "tactical" decision to use them.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
EPA's Monitoring of BP (NYSE:BP): Friend or Foe
While the EPA has put up great uproars about BP's (NYSE:BP) use of toxic chemical dispersants, some are wondering are they really true to what they stand for. The EPA is trying to take credit where credit is not due.
EPA's Lisa Jackson, ordered BP to trim down on their use of the chemicals being applied to the Gulf oil leak by 75 percent. BP maintains they have done the required cut back. Before the EPA order, BP was using 25,689 gallons a day of dispersants. Compared to after the EPA's requirement, BP is using 23,250 gallons a day of the chemicals. That is not anywhere close to the 75 percent reduction that was supposed to take place. Whats worse is the EPA is turning a blind eye to it.
Here's what BP and the EPA did to pull this off. They took the one day when they used the most dispersants ever and cut that number down by 75 percent. May 23rd was that day, BP used 70,000 gallons of the chemicals. The 75 percent was taken off of the 70,000 gallons. So the EPA reduction was actually only 9 percent, not the 75 percent that was ordered.
When the EPA was questioned about this discrepancy, the response was odd. They said they deserved the credit for getting the high use of the chemical dispersants under control. It leaves one wondering what does the EPA really stand for. They seem quite content with the fact that in reality they've only brought down the percentage 9 percent. All the while, taking credit for bringing it down the full 75 percent which they, as well as BP know is not correct. So is the EPA really friend or foe ?
EPA's Lisa Jackson, ordered BP to trim down on their use of the chemicals being applied to the Gulf oil leak by 75 percent. BP maintains they have done the required cut back. Before the EPA order, BP was using 25,689 gallons a day of dispersants. Compared to after the EPA's requirement, BP is using 23,250 gallons a day of the chemicals. That is not anywhere close to the 75 percent reduction that was supposed to take place. Whats worse is the EPA is turning a blind eye to it.
Here's what BP and the EPA did to pull this off. They took the one day when they used the most dispersants ever and cut that number down by 75 percent. May 23rd was that day, BP used 70,000 gallons of the chemicals. The 75 percent was taken off of the 70,000 gallons. So the EPA reduction was actually only 9 percent, not the 75 percent that was ordered.
When the EPA was questioned about this discrepancy, the response was odd. They said they deserved the credit for getting the high use of the chemical dispersants under control. It leaves one wondering what does the EPA really stand for. They seem quite content with the fact that in reality they've only brought down the percentage 9 percent. All the while, taking credit for bringing it down the full 75 percent which they, as well as BP know is not correct. So is the EPA really friend or foe ?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Chevron's (NYSE:CVX) Spill Cleanup Continues
Emergency teams have been working on Chevron's (NYSE:CVX) spill cleanup since Saturday at the Salt Lake City, Red Butte Creek oil spill site. A formal plan of how they plan to proceed has not been released and is said to be weeks away. Although, we are ensured that does not mean cleanup isn't happening.
Dan Johnson, a Chevron spokesman said, "on Saturday we immediately began to soak up oil. That's why we have collected 500 barrels so far. There's still 300 more out there and we will work diligently to clean it up." The formal cleanup plan will be part of Chevron's official response to a notice of violation. This is not expected to be done for around another 10 days.
The NOV is the official process for environmental disasters, making Chevron legally liable as well. The EPA has given credit to Chevron for their aggressive cleanup and taking full responsibility. The EPA stated, "we expect and will work to ensure they remain responsive. EPA has been and will continue to review and provide direction on incident objectives and progress made under those objectives. We will ensure that actions taken are sufficient to clean up the spill."
Dan Johnson, a Chevron spokesman said, "on Saturday we immediately began to soak up oil. That's why we have collected 500 barrels so far. There's still 300 more out there and we will work diligently to clean it up." The formal cleanup plan will be part of Chevron's official response to a notice of violation. This is not expected to be done for around another 10 days.
The NOV is the official process for environmental disasters, making Chevron legally liable as well. The EPA has given credit to Chevron for their aggressive cleanup and taking full responsibility. The EPA stated, "we expect and will work to ensure they remain responsive. EPA has been and will continue to review and provide direction on incident objectives and progress made under those objectives. We will ensure that actions taken are sufficient to clean up the spill."
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
PROOF: BP (NYSE:BP) Ignored Environmental Regulations For Over A Decade
It's pretty sad when a company like BP (NYSE:BP) puts such little emphasis on environmental regulations, health, or safety. Especially considering they are on the board of the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to Abrahm Lustgarten and Ryan Knutson's report, "A series of internal investigations over the past decade warned senior BP managers that the oil company repeatedly disregarded safety and environmental rules and risked and a serious accident if it did not change its ways. The confidential inquiries, which have not previously been made public, focused on a rash of problems at BP's Alaska oil drilling operations. They described instances in which management flouted safety by neglecting aging equipment, pressed employees not to report problems and cut short or delay inspections to reduce production costs."
Maybe that's why BP is now trying to take the stance of trying to make everybody happy. When a company like BP puts safety, health, and environment at such a low priority, it's no wonder things like the Deepwater Horizon explosion happen. Now they're scrambling, trying to maintain some sort of integrity when in reality if for the past decade instead of taking shortcuts, silencing their employees, and putting off safety inspections, they simply followed the rules they could have prevented all of this !
What makes it worse is this was intentional. We're not talking a bad manager for a year or two, we're talking blatantly ignoring the protocol for over 10 years now, the protocol that is put into place to keep not just them as a corporation, but the environment and us as human beings safe.
According to Abrahm Lustgarten and Ryan Knutson's report, "A series of internal investigations over the past decade warned senior BP managers that the oil company repeatedly disregarded safety and environmental rules and risked and a serious accident if it did not change its ways. The confidential inquiries, which have not previously been made public, focused on a rash of problems at BP's Alaska oil drilling operations. They described instances in which management flouted safety by neglecting aging equipment, pressed employees not to report problems and cut short or delay inspections to reduce production costs."
Maybe that's why BP is now trying to take the stance of trying to make everybody happy. When a company like BP puts safety, health, and environment at such a low priority, it's no wonder things like the Deepwater Horizon explosion happen. Now they're scrambling, trying to maintain some sort of integrity when in reality if for the past decade instead of taking shortcuts, silencing their employees, and putting off safety inspections, they simply followed the rules they could have prevented all of this !
What makes it worse is this was intentional. We're not talking a bad manager for a year or two, we're talking blatantly ignoring the protocol for over 10 years now, the protocol that is put into place to keep not just them as a corporation, but the environment and us as human beings safe.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
BP: (NYSE:BP) We'll Reduce Use By 50-80 % Of Corexit
BP (NYSE:BP) continues its use of the dispersant Corexit, ignoring the EPA and federal government. BP says it will reduce the amount of Corexit it is currently using in the Gulf. Serious questions are being raised on the effects this chemical will have long term on wildlife and humans.
Due to BP's continued excuses and lack of action, the EPA is setting up its own research and testing in their lab in Gulf Breeze, FL. The purpose of this testing will be to find a less toxic dispersant that can aid in the safe breakup of the oil. Among these is included, a biodegradable tests and well as toxicity testing.
Lisa Jackson, the EPA Administrator said she meet with BP officials Sunday night to get the company to cut back on it use of the chemical dispersant. She feels confident that there will be a 50 - 80 percent reduction over the next few days as they proceed with their testing.
This reduction will mainly be on the surface. Jackson said, putting the dispersant directly into the stream of oil underwater has proven to be far less toxic and more effective than it's effects on the top of the water.
Due to BP's continued excuses and lack of action, the EPA is setting up its own research and testing in their lab in Gulf Breeze, FL. The purpose of this testing will be to find a less toxic dispersant that can aid in the safe breakup of the oil. Among these is included, a biodegradable tests and well as toxicity testing.
Lisa Jackson, the EPA Administrator said she meet with BP officials Sunday night to get the company to cut back on it use of the chemical dispersant. She feels confident that there will be a 50 - 80 percent reduction over the next few days as they proceed with their testing.
This reduction will mainly be on the surface. Jackson said, putting the dispersant directly into the stream of oil underwater has proven to be far less toxic and more effective than it's effects on the top of the water.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
EPA May Allow BP's (NYSE:BP) Corexit Use
On Thursday, the EPA had given BP (NYSE:BP) 24 hours to pick a less toxic dispersant, and 72 hours to start using it. Now today, they told ABC News that they may allow BP to continue the use of Corexit, the dispersant that they deemed far to toxic.
Apparently, the EPA has done some testing and said that Corexit has killed up to 25 percent of organisms living 500 feet down where the dispersant was used.
As we are coming upon the 72 hour deadline, the EPA says there will be consequences for failing to meet it. The EPA will then demand to see the records of BP's research, including proof that it
sufficiently investigated other dispersant options, as well as the explanation of why each one was not chosen. That was the extent EPA would comment on the full consequences of failing to meet the deadline.
Adora Andy, EPA spokeswoman told ABC News, "it's not that Corexit is banned, it's not that they have to stop using it because they're using it right now. But it's just that they need to switch over."
Apparently, the EPA has done some testing and said that Corexit has killed up to 25 percent of organisms living 500 feet down where the dispersant was used.
As we are coming upon the 72 hour deadline, the EPA says there will be consequences for failing to meet it. The EPA will then demand to see the records of BP's research, including proof that it
sufficiently investigated other dispersant options, as well as the explanation of why each one was not chosen. That was the extent EPA would comment on the full consequences of failing to meet the deadline.
Adora Andy, EPA spokeswoman told ABC News, "it's not that Corexit is banned, it's not that they have to stop using it because they're using it right now. But it's just that they need to switch over."
Friday, May 21, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Says There's No Better Dispersant Alternative
A BP (NYSE:BP) executive adamantly insists that there's no better dispersant for the pollution cleanup. Not to mention the dispersant that the EPA is now demanding be replaced, was approved by the Unified Command, the national guard, as well as the EPA.
It is an approved product and is effective in the pollution cleanup. Doug Suttles, BP's chief operating officer stated on Good Morning America, "it's making a difference in this fight to try and keep this stuff from coming to shore."
Suttles also stated, BP intents to continue looking for a better alternative but, "right now we cannot identify another product that is available that's better than Corexit." This statement leaves many wondering if BP will comply with the deadline the EPA has given it.
BP said in a statement to ABC News, the chemical is "one of the most well studied dispersants." It's choice of the use of Corexit was based partially on being able to "get a sufficient supply to meet our needs on a short notice."
It is an approved product and is effective in the pollution cleanup. Doug Suttles, BP's chief operating officer stated on Good Morning America, "it's making a difference in this fight to try and keep this stuff from coming to shore."
Suttles also stated, BP intents to continue looking for a better alternative but, "right now we cannot identify another product that is available that's better than Corexit." This statement leaves many wondering if BP will comply with the deadline the EPA has given it.
BP said in a statement to ABC News, the chemical is "one of the most well studied dispersants." It's choice of the use of Corexit was based partially on being able to "get a sufficient supply to meet our needs on a short notice."
Thursday, May 20, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Has Used 655,000 Gallons Of Now Banned Chemicals
BP (NYSE:BP) has dispersed a minimum of 655,000 chemicals in the Gulf that are now banned. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this is the largest application of dispersant's every used in the history of oil spills.
The two dispersant's being used are from a line called Corexit, both these dispersant's were banned from use on oil spills in the U.K. over 10 years ago due to the failure of their toxicity tests. What's actually used is kept secret by manufactures, the EPA said they are required by law to protect this information.
Corexit had been on the approved list of dispersant's put out by the EPA despite them being more toxic and less effective. A version of Corexit was used on the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, it was linked later to human health problems. Nervous system, kidney, liver, blood, and respiratory problems are just some of the related health problems due to Corexit.
BP has been asked to switch to less toxic dispersant's within 72 hours.
The two dispersant's being used are from a line called Corexit, both these dispersant's were banned from use on oil spills in the U.K. over 10 years ago due to the failure of their toxicity tests. What's actually used is kept secret by manufactures, the EPA said they are required by law to protect this information.
Corexit had been on the approved list of dispersant's put out by the EPA despite them being more toxic and less effective. A version of Corexit was used on the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, it was linked later to human health problems. Nervous system, kidney, liver, blood, and respiratory problems are just some of the related health problems due to Corexit.
BP has been asked to switch to less toxic dispersant's within 72 hours.
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