Chevron's Emergency Response Plan: 1) Block investigators 2) Buy Pizza coupons
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2014/04/09/chevron-blocked-access-to-dep-after-fatal-well-fire-in-southwest-pa/ 
In its notice of violation letter, the DEP cited Chevron for “hazardous venting of gas,” “open burning,” and “discharge of production
fluids onto the ground.” However, Poister stressed that Chevron’s most serious violation was not blocking state regulators, but
an equipment failure on the wellhead that is believed to have caused the explosion that took the life of 27-year-old Ian McKee,
a contractor on the site.
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May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2014/04/09/chevron-blocked-access-to-dep-after-fatal-well-fire-in-southwest-pa/
Chevron blocked access to DEP after fatal well fire in southwest Pa.
Katie Colaneri/ StateImpact Pennsylvania
A fire broke out on a Chevron natural gas well pad in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pa. on Feb. 11.
When a Chevron natural gas well exploded in Greene County, killing a worker, the company blocked personnel
with the state Department of Environmental Protection from accessing the site for nearly two days.
with the state Department of Environmental Protection from accessing the site for nearly two days.
The DEP acquiesced, despite its regulatory authority. Now, that issue is one of nine violations the DEP
outlined in a letter to Chevron last month.
outlined in a letter to Chevron last month.
The fire started early on Feb. 11 and continued to burn for five days. When a DEP emergency crew first arrived on the
scene in Dunkard Township, Chevron told them to stay away from the site and not to drive their vehicle on the access
road. The crew was also blocked from parking an emergency vehicle at a nearby command center.
scene in Dunkard Township, Chevron told them to stay away from the site and not to drive their vehicle on the access
road. The crew was also blocked from parking an emergency vehicle at a nearby command center.
“They were not allowing anybody close to that well pad and I think that our feeling though was, as a regulatory agency,
we want to be there, we want to see it, we want to know what Chevron is saying,” DEP spokesman John Poister said.
we want to be there, we want to see it, we want to know what Chevron is saying,” DEP spokesman John Poister said.
Drilling companies are always required to grant access to DEP officials, regardless of the circumstances, according to
their state-issued permits.
their state-issued permits.
When asked why the agency did not enforce its right to access the site, Poister told StateImpact Pennsylvania
the agency did “strongly” express its concerns to Chevron and that the relationship between the company and
the DEP improved over time.
the agency did “strongly” express its concerns to Chevron and that the relationship between the company and
the DEP improved over time.
“When the secretary arrived the day after, we were given much more access,” Poister said.
Secretary Chris Abruzzo told reporters two days after the fire started that he had been able to see the charred well pad
from about 500 yards away and could see methane gas “shooting out” of the wellhead.
from about 500 yards away and could see methane gas “shooting out” of the wellhead.
fluids onto the ground.” However, Poister stressed that Chevron’s most serious violation was not blocking state regulators, but
an equipment failure on the wellhead that is believed to have caused the explosion that took the life of 27-year-old Ian McKee,
a contractor on the site.
“That’s what we want to get to the bottom of,” Poister said.
Scott Perry, director the DEP’s oil and gas program, told StateImpact Pennsylvania that the department’s initial lack of direct
access to the site would not impact its investigation. “It did impede our ability to monitor the conditions at the site which was
one of our concerns, whether or not the conditions could change and pose a threat to public safety,” Perry said.
access to the site would not impact its investigation. “It did impede our ability to monitor the conditions at the site which was
one of our concerns, whether or not the conditions could change and pose a threat to public safety,” Perry said.
The DEP is preparing a more detailed after-action report about the incident. Lawmakers have praised DEP for a “textbook”
response to the fire. However, Chevron has sustained widespread criticism for its response, especially for giving out
coupons for free pizza as an apology to nearby residents.
response to the fire. However, Chevron has sustained widespread criticism for its response, especially for giving out
coupons for free pizza as an apology to nearby residents.
In a statement, Chevron said “the safety of the emergency responders was of paramount concern to Chevron and the participants
of the [Unified Incident Command Center] throughout the course of the incident.”
of the [Unified Incident Command Center] throughout the course of the incident.”
“We will continue to cooperate with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and all appropriate
regulatory authorities throughout the investigation and thereafter.”
regulatory authorities throughout the investigation and thereafter.”
Chevron said it plans to share the results of its own internal investigation.
You can read DEP’s notice of violation to Chevron below.
--
--
May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)
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