Sunday, June 17, 2012

BP's Faulty Towers

British Petroleum’s shameful environmental record reads like rap sheet laundry of environmental and human rights violations.
Historically their actions follow a pattern, when necessary; they plead guilty to an offense, pull out their checkbook, and pay a fine and move on to their next victims.
In 2007, British Petroleum agreed to pay a criminal fine of more than $60 million for violations of federal environmental regulations in Texas and Alaska. After the Alaskan spill, British Petroleum Plead guilty to one misdemeanor of the Clean Water Act and paid a $12 million fine for spilling 200,000 gallons of crude oil into the Alaskan tundra which was a result of not properly monitoring or maintaining the Alaskan pipeline.

British Petroleum has left in its wake, problems, violations, victims and disasters, including the most recent Deep-water Horizon mess.
One tragedy in particular caused by British Petroleum, which occurred in March of 2005, was an explosion at British Petroleum's Texas City refinery.
This episode in British Petroleum’s shameful history killed 15 people and injured 170. British Petroleum plead guilty to a felony charge for failing to have adequate maintenance procedures.

Apparently Cape Vincent is no different. Recently I was driving down Millens Bay Road and I noticed a BP Met tower that seemed to have a problem. I am not an engineer but I am positive that these towers are supposed to be straight, this one was not.



A few months ago I submitted a FOIL request for the met tower permit renewals, and strangely none could be found.

BP has been busy increasing the size of their project, talking and planning with the Port of Ogdensburg, sending land agents around the town finding good neighbors, but not busy enough to maintain their equipment to ensure it functions safely.
Sounds like how they managed their assets in the Gulf, doesn't it. What a surprise a met tower, with an outdated permit, that isn’t being cared for properly by a company with a reputation for not maintaining their equipment properly.
Go figure
~~~


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

So why not bring the fact the met townes have not been renewed or properly maintained at the next board meeting? Seems if it can be proved by a foil then hopefully it will be presented to the board.

Anonymous said...

First, I thought these companies were independent of one another? Looks like these requests came from a single office (maybe Edsall's home office). Regardless, the date is January 2011 and the request is for a 12 month extension, which means in June 2012 that they've no longer have a permit for operation.
I know the Cape is in the middle of passing a new zoning law and much is on hold, but as soon as the new law goes into effect I am sure these towers, bent or straight, will be coming down.

Anonymous said...

If you drive by that tower right now you will see them taking it down! Anyone believe it's coincidence that after it was pointed out on a blog it comes down?

Anonymous said...

Is it being removed or repaired?

Anonymous said...

It has been repaired. and is now up and running.