Is Richmond California free from PCB danger?

Chevron TCI Refinery Richmond California

Shelter In Place Warning - August 6, 2012

According to the Register Star Online, residents of the town of Ghent, are concerned that the raging fire at Chevron TCI's Refinery in Richmond California, has caused toxins to be released into their air, water and soil.

In a letter published by Bill and Courtney Powell of Ghent, they exclaimed disbelief that the EPA could have tested water and soil for PCB's and have had an "all clear" designation in only 2 days. The EPA reported no dangerous levels.

Fog City Journal.com has included a photo of the fire; submitted by Occupy Okland, that shows a devilish, and eerie plume of black smoke.

According to a certified, environmental test, this smoke reading is -0- opacity. This means it is detrimental to human and other life forms.

The smoke is only what can be seen with the human eye; what cannot be detected without months and years of testing is the biological affect the toxins from this fire will have on human and other life forms.

NOAA Requests

Incident News provided by the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) has requested information from the Specialized Services Company, (SSC) regarding a mystery sheen located in the Oil Drilling Lease area known as Vermilion 51, off the coast of Louisiana, North America.

This is located on the globe at Latitude (approximate): 29° 23.02' North, Longitude (approximate): 92° 9.92' West.

This was reported on 2012-Jul-28  @ GOMEX, 13mi south of LA Coast 

There are no updates listed as of September 6, 2012

Incident News from NOAA July 28, 2012

Here is a YouTube Video of NOAA in emergency response 2005:

      

Fracking is an Earth cracking, water destroying practice

"FRACK is a Four Letter Word!"


"Natural Gas Extraction is Clean Energy"


"Natural Gas is a Renewable Resource"


"Fracking Fluids are only Water with a few Secret Ingredients"


"Refilling the Drilled Places with Sand, Restores Structural Stability to the Crust"


"CAT Engines that are placed on-site to keep the Gas Wells Pumping are Individual Point Sources"


...and other Fairy Tales you hear from Shale Extractors to keep them from being regulated. The scariest part of these Tales is that the money that is being made by a handful of people, makes them greedy and dangerous enough that the Agencies that are supposed to Regulate them, turn a Blind Eye to the long-term and extensive damage done by Fracking.


In March of 2008, I was working for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. I was fairly new at my job, working in the Air Compliance & Enforcement Division as a lowly Secretary II. On that fateful day, a Mr. (Roberts?) called into the Agency to make a complaint against the "Fracking" companies that were heading into Arkansas. This gentleman was dying, he had worked in Natural Gas Extraction in the State of Texas, and due to exposure from the silica, he was terminally ill.


Mr. Roberts also warned that as an avid Sportsman; fishing and hunting, we would lose our aquatic life and our streams and creeks would be destroyed. He sounded a little crazy, let me tell you. Some of the terms and terminology was brand new to me, and I have been around the Environmental Industry for years. He told me he could prove everything he was saying, and I began receiving emails into the Air Division, outlining the illegal behavior, and devastating practices done by these "sub-contracted" Gas Well Frackers.


Part of the documentation sent, was from the Texas Department of Environmental Quality who had worked for years to bring the fracking companies into compliance, and to get them working within the permitting system of TDEQ and the EPA. They were never successful, and amazingly, all of this moved right into Arkansas, just like this caller said. I personally had conversations with Texas Department of Environmental Quality and they warned me, just like Mr. Roberts.


I was in the Air Division, and should never have received this call, but it is the practice of ADEQ to be intentionally "not helpful" to Citizens when they call in, "it takes too much time". ADEQ has a division called Public Outreach & Assistance...no comment on that. At the time, there was a wonderful environmentalist, "D", who worked in POA and I passed all of this complaint information to him.


Because of the complaint call, we were able to track the new Fracking company to Russellville, Arkansas, where Public Outreach and Assistance would walk the Frackers through the permitting processes they may need. It seem as if everything was in control, being monitored, and good. I did the final follow up with Mr. Roberts and he kept insisting that we were going to be sadly fooled when this was over.


It was more than simply a Water issue. Once the Earth has been fractured, and the Gas is flowing, a well-head must be formed, where CAT Engines are placed to continue pumping the Gas. These CAT Engines are a Pollutant Source, but somehow the Industry was able to get an exemption no other Industry gets, and that is to count each one of these Engine sources and a single point source of pollution and not count their cumulative sources in a given area. Not only that, but some of the toxins that are emitted from these engines was not even counted during the permitting process, although it is standard in other States.That in my opinion is criminal.


The ADEQ, Outreach and Assistance associate, "D" that had been with the Agency for many years, ended up leaving several months after this all transpired. I can only imagine the pressure that came to rest on him, to let the Gas Extractors alone. 


The Director of ADEQ, appointed by Governor Beebe, was well aware of the extra strain and budget constraints that would come from Gas Well Extraction in the Water Division, but during a "meet & greet" session with the Air Division, she had no idea that over 1000 air permits had been applied for and given on CAT Engines, increasing complaint calls, stack testing and inspections required in Air.


No idea... By the time I left, there were well over 1,000 permits issued to Southwest Energy, Chesapeake, and several other Natural Gas Companies whose ownership and names changed on a regular basis.


When I left the agency in June of 2009, many of the permits were owned by the entity which recently built a new ballpark in North Little Rock, AR. It may not seem like this is on topic, but the thing is, two 2 air Permitting Engineers in the Air Division, also are in the employee of this entity, and these two, help out at the Beer Brewery and ballpark, working the concession stands, and have worked several other positions with the entity. This was disclosed to the Director's office, and they did not feel this was a conflict of interest.


This entity also owns and controls all media in Arkansas. A CEO of this entity, also sits on Governor Beebe's Blue Ribbon Committee for Highway Development...the same development that will be "transparent, after it is finished..." I am sure there is not a conflict of interest... right?


My last two months were a horror show to me, as I witnessed hundreds of 404 (Short term use water permits) issued to the fracking/gas well companies, without regard for the environment, and successfully bypassing public scrutiny. These permits allow the frackers to trench 2 miles of 22" pipe under every stream and tributary in Arkansas even endangered ones. Progress and prosperity, right?






(link) High Pressure Fracture Fluid Testing Document
(link) Drilling Fluid U.S. Patent 5333698
(link) Patent Storm - US Patent 5362713
High Performance Environmentally Friendly Fluids

Interactive Tool, RadTown, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), learn about radiation for the human population

RadTown USA from the Environmental Protection Agency - April 




What all can you learn by using RadTown?

• Basic Information about Radiation and how it moves, and what affects it has on human health and the environment
• Learn about natural and man-made sources of radiation found in our everyday lives
• Specific fact sheet from A - Z, with a glossary of information on everything radioactive and humans
• Related Links

How much does it cost to use the interactive RadTown? Nothing. This is a service provided by Big Government to give everyday citizens information on toxins, pollutants, and how these affect our human health, and the health of our habitats. 

How do I enter RadTown? Follow this link

Topics listed on the upper right-hand coroner of the RadTown page:

• Personal Exposure
• Using Radioactive Materials
• Radiation Treated Material
• Transporting Radioactive materials
• Radioactive Waste
• Natural Radiation
• Security

I have been playing with this Interactive Tool; RadTown, it is very user friendly. The first thing I clicked on was the Nuclear Plant Stacks, and when I did, it gave me a brief summary of what a Nuclear Plant is, and what they do with their radiation.

When clicking on the Construction Site, I found they have listed the device I used to transport and use in testing. The brand we used was Troxler, and it contains uranium, and measures the moisture and density of the ground/road/rock. One must be trained and licensed to transport a Nuclear Gauge. Several of these come up missing each year.

There are many other areas to check. I hope this helps bring a better understanding of what using radiation in our everyday lives cost us. 

All of the items listed in RadTown, are best case scenario. This is the problem with business and industry. They come up with an idea, which seems very cool at the start, but when looked at in the long-run, it is a crap shoot. Radioactive Waste, Accidents. and spills are a payoff we cannot afford. 

What happened to the spent fuel rods at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant, when Katrina hit? Since NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) only answer to themselves, this is a question I have long been afraid to ask, and have answered, but we need to know.

EPA Announces Landmark Settlement with TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority), April 14, 2011

Today April 14, 2011, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) announced publicly, a landmark settlement with Tennessee Valley Authority, who while operating in the past, and operating still in, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, have violated the Clean Air Act. This does not get our clean air back, but it earns TVA new equipment bought and paid for by its members...who they must recompense...? Huh, what is going on?

Now, because of this wonderful settlement, all those big pockets of my air that was destroyed, is a settlement to benefit the polluter. Instead of saying, no form of coal operation, all forms of coal use, harm human and other life forms. This settlement of the polluter getting new bells and whistles is ridiculous. They are affecting the globe's worth of air, and I do not agree that this is enough. Clean Water act as well. Most people have to obey the law, not TVA.

This settlement is to keep jobs going I guess, until they are done, like lumber jacks. After you rip it all out of the ground, it will take several thousands of years to restock all of those resources we be sucking up. Unsustainable. Period.

Japanese Earthquake Images shown by the European Space Agency

March 2011, Japanese Earthquake movement as seen from space. (link) 


Today, the European Space Agency releases images of the March 2011, Japanese Earthquake(s) as seen from their space satellite imaging. 


For students of geology, petrology or any other Earth Science, this drawing is horrible and awesome. That people living in this place, have experienced such shaking is enormous. 

As observers and listeners of such an environmental disaster, it is difficult to put ourselves in the place of our Japanese cousins, but their island, has not stopped shaking since the major Earthquake on March 11, 2011

Everything about their environment has changed. Earth, soil and water. 

If you notice the ocean crust diverging in the image as well, this means a possible breaking of plates. Please send all positive thoughts and prayers to our kindred in Japan. 

Credits: GEONET

ESA Announces newest land maps in time for Spring 2011

Newest land maps available from European Space Agency, in time for Spring.(link) March 29, 2011

http://www.esa.int/images/CULTUREMERIS_20110307-20110313.jpg

What is so special about these new land maps? 

1. The information has been gathered by scientists from the European Space Agency from many satellites with the camera on Earth (other planets too), from all angles. 
2. This is new gis (global information systems; like Google Earth) technology that is user friendly
3. The maps may be downloaded.
4. The photos may be downloaded
5. The downloads may be used as long as proper citation and credits are given to ESA and/or individuals, and/or groups who own the data.
6. We can see with our own eyes how Mother Earth has changed in one small year.
7. There are too many benefits to name, this is excellent information for any year of school, from primary to university.
8. This is a free and public service from the European Space Agency (www.ESA.int)

Geologists and other scientists are always curious about their changing globe. Making observations of past land maps with the newest issue will be important for they who are working diligently to save their own habitat and eco-systems. The scientists, astronauts, and various others at the ESA, are sharing their love of answering questions by diligent research and testing. 


In the media, today March 30, 2011 there is so much propaganda against science and scientists, there is no telling what this means for US students who are being told by their television, that Science is wrong. 


The first thing any person learns in a science class is definitions. One of the first definitions we learned is, what is the scientific method? The definition as explained on a grade school level is this: 

• Ask a question.
• Come up with some answers to the question. (Hypothesis)
• Say why you think your answers are true.
• Using true measures, refine your answers
• Experiment (cooks do this in the kitchen all the time)
• Research (your findings are going to come out different then you thought at first)
• Testing (refining why results are different)

The above steps are the scientific method. A scientist, or curious person may have to repeat steps 2 - 7 hundreds of times, but because new scientists can build upon already known facts. Anyone who says science is fake, is saying that 2 + 2 = 1. Not true.

It is very important that we look on our once beautiful planet, as a living plant that we have been given as a gift. Those of us who love and treasure this gift, are appalled at the greedy bullies in the school-yard of life, rushing in, kicking sand, coal, and nuclear waste in our faces, while destroying our only habitat for great profit.

One of the reason the big greedy bullies are so successful is because they are the dealer, and consumers the users, or junkies. As consumers we are as guilty for destroying our earth as the big polluters, because not only do we not pay attention to public notices, and the permitting process for any of the industry we crave and cling to, we continue to pay top dollar in purchasing their stuff.

If we did not depend on the combustion engine for egos, and self-sustaining power, and instead built our communities as pedestrian villages, over 60% of our pollution problems would be eliminated immediately. We have been brainwashed over the combustion engine, for over 100 years. It was a good and lovely invention, but instead of getting smarter, understanding the need to move away from oil, and gasoline and lead, it became a pit bull holding onto the end of the rope. 

Big energy, and the automobile industry cannot see any other way, except the way that makes them millions per day. Those days will come to an end, this party cannot continue forever. Our Earth is less able to sustain life every hour, and still the Hummers roll off the assembly line. We must stop. Now you have the proof in front of you. Look at the coastlines of these new maps, and of those over the past 10 years. You will hopefully be alarmed, and moved to action.

The very best, and blessings to all inhabitants of the Earth.

Free download of the land maps: (link) here is the address:  ftp://ionia2.esrin.esa.int

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