Record Fine Slapped Against BP For Poor Safety at Texas City Refinaries

BP finally settling up for p/r reasons (5.00 / 1)

If they hadn't killed the Gulf, they would still be appealing the original $87 million fine from 2005.  

And lets not forget that even before they killed the Gulf they had one of the largest toxic releases in Texas history at the Texas City refinery.  Hardly a peep from TCEQ which would have happily just kept it quiet.

ProPublica 7/2/10
BP Texas Refinery Had Huge Toxic Release Just Before Gulf Blowout

TEXAS CITY, TEXAS -- Two weeks before the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, the huge, trouble-plagued BP refinery in this coastal town spewed tens of thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals into the skies.

The release from the BP facility here began April 6 and lasted 40 days. It stemmed from the company's decision to keep producing and selling gasoline while it attempted repairs on a key piece of equipment, according to BP officials and Texas regulators.

BP says it failed to detect the extent of the emissions for several weeks. It discovered the scope of the problem only after analyzing data from a monitor that measures emissions from a flare 300 feet above the ground that was supposed to incinerate the toxic chemicals.

The company now estimates that 538,000 pounds of chemicals escaped from the refinery while it was replacing the equipment. These included 17,000 pounds of benzene, a known carcinogen; 37,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to respiratory problems; and 186,000 pounds of carbon monoxide.

Where is Rick Perry's statement about this massive toxic spill on our own Texas land?

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by: sonia @ Fri Aug 13, 2010 at 02:31:01 AM UTC

At least they caught it... (0.00 / 0)

Do you think that the other companies have any better record or that things will change with Bill White? Bill White is going to be good to the oil and gas industry because the oil and gas industry has been good to him.

And then you have Barack Obama. Who twiddled his thumbs while the Coast Guard allowed BP to use dispersants in amounts far exceeding the amounts allowed under federal regulations. In order to hide the amount of oil being released.

The State of New York has now moved to regulate fracking which is a major issue for those who live in North Central Texas and are affected by fracking in the Barnett Shale and

I believe Bill White has gone on record saying it's safe. The State of New York has now said otherwise.

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by: Baby Snooks @ Sun Aug 15, 2010 at 16:04:33 PM UTC

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It's a matter of record (0.00 / 0)

that the other oil companies have better safety records, which is perhaps a low bar.  It is sad that the petro-chemical industry ( & it's minions) are so short sighted. What planet are they living on?

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by: MsInformed @ Sun Aug 15, 2010 at 18:36:16 PM UTC

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Ya know (0.00 / 0)

Sometimes it's two steps forward one step back...I will take the one step back if it eventually leads to many, many steps forward. Bill White will certainly be more open to changing the way of doing business up here in the Barnett Shale...than Rick Perry ever would be. The "moratorium" on gas drilling in New York state passed in their senate assembly but still has to pass in their legislative assembly before it is finalized. But it is a HUGE step in helping to slow down the drilling activities that are wreaking havoc all across our country including our neighborhoods of North Texas. Have your seen Josh Fox's documentary, "Gasland"?? Thanks to him, the word has gotten out to more and more people this summer.

The EPA needs to start "regulating" fracking and the whole process. Right now, the gas companies are running over our communities and we have little power to stop them. And it's getting worse by the day.

And thanks for being quite the conspicuous contrarian, BS...sometimes you inspire me. :-)

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by: Elsbeth @ Mon Aug 16, 2010 at 06:08:47 AM UTC

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