On Saturday, the Sioux City Journal outlined the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service comments on the air permit for the $10 billion Hyperion oil refinery proposed for north of Sioux City in South Dakota. Comments are now available on South Dakota's DENR Hyperion website. (See link below and scroll down to I B of the Hyperion air permit list.) The top comments include Sierra Club SD responses, Plains Justice comments and comments by other opponents (including comments Jim Redmond from Iowa made but are hidden in the 62 or 20 comment link).
http://www.state.sd.us/denr/hyperionaq.htm
Jim Redmond, who has been closely following this project, says his quick assessment is that the building of the Hyperion refinery will put the region near the ceiling for air quality especially in Siouxland. Any new development would put the area beyond allowable limits. So instead of being an engine of development for the area, Hyperion would stand in the way of new development.
The Iowa Chapter will continue to follow this project and will keep you posted of any new developments.
Neila Seaman Director Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 [log in to unmask] 515-277-8868
EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me
From the Sioux City Journal:
EPA critical of S.D. refinery oversight
Agency wants more discussion about tar sands
Story
6 comment(s)
By Meagan [log in to unmask] | Posted: Saturday, November 22, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has "serious" concerns about the draft air-quality permit the state of South Dakota has prepared for a proposed oil refinery in Union County, and the National Park Service has questioned whether the permitting process meets federal requirements.Texas-based Hyperion Refining needs the permit before it can begin work on its proposed $10 billion, 400,000-barrel-a-day oil refinery and energy center near Elk Point, S.D.The EPA outlined its concerns and recommendations in a 23-page letter to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Park Service did the same in six pages. Both letters, received Nov. 14, are posted on the DENR Web site."We had some serious concerns in certain areas, and we have asked them to go back and evaluate our comments and make appropriate changes," Callie Videtich, director of the Air and Radiation Program for EPA Region 8 in Denver, said Friday.But she said the state will make the final decision about whether to issue the permit and what it will contain."These are incredibly complex permits, and it was a huge undertaking for the state of South Dakota," Videtich said. "This isn't any different than how we comment on any other permits. This one, specifically, we had quite a few comments. We're providing them with comments on what we think would make a stronger permit."The EPA said in its comment letter the permit's format is confusing for the public to read and understand."It is an important component of the public participation process that DENR proposes a permit that lends itself to public participation...," the agency wrote. "DENR should revise the format .... Such a (revised) format will facilitate review of the permit by EPA, the citizens and interested parties and will enhance compliance demonstration."Another point EPA addresses in its letter is a lack of discussion about the Alberta tar sands Hyperion has chosen as its source of crude oil. Environmentalists contend tar sands oil is a dirtier "sour'' crude with a higher sulfur content and more heavy toxic compounds than the lighter "sweet'' crude imported from the Middle East and other regions."... EPA could not find any discussion of the design crude characteristics" of the tar sands, the agency wrote. "EPA requests that this be better defined and discussed with other necessary permit assumptions, so that a more complete understanding of refinery crude constituents and the ultimate refinery emissions in the application, statement of basis, and permit can be developed."Meanwhile, the National Park Service wrote that DENR is violating public comment requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act.DENR published the draft permit Sept. 11 and extended the original 30-day public comment period to 60 days, which ended Nov. 14.However, the Park Service's letter, signed by Ernest Quintana, regional director for the National Park Service Midwest Region, says, "We would like to point out that these opportunities for public comment will not satisfy the requirement for public partcipation under the National Environmental Policy Act should future federal involvement in this project necessitate compliance with the NEPA." The Park Service did not immediately return a call Friday seeking clarification.The agency is also concerned about the proposed refinery's proximity to nationally protected parks and rivers.{M3"While we appreciate the efforts to control the emission rates from the Hyperion Energy Center, we are concerned that the emissions may impact the (Missouri) river and the (Lewis and Clark) trail," Quintana wrote. "We request that they complete the analysis in consultation with the NPS staff in order to coordinate on accepted methodologies."Kim Smith, spokesman for DENR, said the department has been asked by the South Dakota Attorney General's Office not to discuss any matter involving the draft permit or Hyperion."We've been told that it's contested and not to discuss it," Smith said. "Comments will come out during the (hearing) process."The contested-case hearing has been set for May and June in Pierre.Smith said DENR has 30 days from Nov. 14 to prepare responses to public comments about the permit.Park Service concernsThe National Park Service is concerned that air pollution from the proposed refinery and energy center could affect these nationally protected places. *Missouri National Recreational River and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail- eight miles away *Niobrara National Scenic River- 67 miles away*Pipestone National Monument- 80 miles away*Homestead National Monument of America- 170 miles away
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]
Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp
Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship
e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's
latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent
editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/