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Supervisors grill Big West about leak

BY STACEY SHEPARD, Californian staff writer
e-mail: sshepard@bakersfield.com | Tuesday, May 27 2008 6:22 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, May 28 2008 7:17 AM

Kern County supervisors lashed out at Big West of California refinery officials Tuesday after requesting they appear to answer questions about an recent anhydrous ammonia release.

At issue was Big West’s failure to notify fire and environmental health officials of the small leak that occurred just after midnight May 18.

“We're in a quandary about what to do to compel your organization to report to us,” said Supervisor Mike Maggard.

Big West Health, Safety and Environmental Director Bill Chadick said the company followed state guidelines, which don’t require reporting a leak so small. But Chadick eventually conceded that the company should have reported the incident.

“We clearly should have notified (local authorities) and we clearly plan to in the future,” Chadick said.

Following more than 30 minutes of questions, all sides reached a gentlemen’s agreement that regardless of the leak’s size, the refinery would contact fire and environmental officials in future incidents.

Supervisors requested that Chadick appear to field questions about the incident after they were unable to get a clear picture of the refinery’s response from local officials during their morning meeting. They then peppered Chadick with questions.

According to details brought out in the meeting, fire crews did respond to the incident but only because an off-duty police officer who lives near the refinery heard the evacuation alarm and contacted the police station. Big West didn’t notify fire officials on its own, nor the county’s Environmental Health Service Department, which responds to chemical spills.

Environmental Health Director Matt Constantine said he’s made it clear in the past that Big West must notify his department immediately of a release or potential release at the facility.

“I've specifically asked to be made aware of any issues at any time,” Constantine said. “And they have at times done that. But in this last incident, that did not occur.”

Concerns were also raised that people living near the refinery could hear an evacuation alarm only meant for refinery personnel. Constantine said the alarm could create a “confusing situation.”

Supervisors also worried that fire crews responding to the scene without knowing the extent of the situation could have been in danger if the leak were bigger and a sizable ammonia cloud had formed.

“If we don’t take all the precautions, our first responders, and therefore the public, is at risk,” Maggard said. “You guys are capable of doing that better, and I want you to understand the level of concern we have that you be doing that.”

During one heated exchange, Supervisor Michael Rubio asked Chadick if the ammonia leaked was the same type contained in some household cleaners.

“The ammonia released from the tank is the same ammonia in your cleaner at home, but most of what you have in that bottle of cleaner is water,” Chadick said.

However, Constantine later clarified that Big West uses pure ammonia, “which presents a significant risk” because it can vaporize and form a toxic cloud. The Big West refinery is placed in the highest risk category of any facility in the county because of the amount of pure ammonia its stores at its facility, Constantine added.

In fact, the refinery stores enough ammonia to create a cloud that could travel six miles in a worst-case scenario incident, according to emergency plans obtained by The Californian from the county.

Kern County Fire Chief Dennis Thompson later added: “With all due deference to Mr. Chadick ... the nature of anhydrous ammonia ... is much more concentrated than what’s in your household cleaner. That’s the reason that commodity is regulated to a higher level than even some of the flammable liquids at that refinery.”

After the meeting, Chadick said the refinery is already in the process of addressing some of the concerns supervisors raised. For example, the volume on the ammonia alarm has been adjusted so it won’t be heard off-site.

Chadick said he plans to meet with environmental health in coming months to clarify what situations should be reported to local authorities.