Pondering The Tanks

This post concerns the very large Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Butane tanks located along Gaffey Street, in San Pedro, California.

There are many resources where folks can and should learn more about their history and the potential problems that might arise should anything happen to those tanks.

The South Bay Daily Breeze recently ran two articles about the tanks and efforts to have them removed or moved, yet still they are standing.

First, some history and statistics:

The twin tanks, holding up to approximately 12.6 Million Gallons each, were constructed for and used by the Petrolane Company, beginning in 1973.

For many years the tanks were part of the 'Amerigas' entity.

Today the tanks are operated using "Rancho LPG" and "Plains LPG" as identifiers.

Whenever you look at the tanks, you are looking at the largest Liquefied Petroleum Gas storage facility in the United States of America.

A study indicated that should small explosions at either or both of the tanks set off a very large fire, the radiant heat generated from the fires would be nearly as equivalent to the power of the heat generated by between 35 and 40 'Hiroshima'-size nuclear bombs.

The distance of travel of fire and/or other damage caused by a 'worst case' scenario at the location would be up to and possibly greater than 6.8 miles from the site of the occurrence.

Do I have your attention yet?

A recent study, partially funded by the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council indicated that although the 'worst-case' scenario was highly unlikely, I just want to remind folks that they are very willing and able to 'Google' the words "Fukushima" along with "tsunami" and you just may find that 'highly unlikely' is not what it meant just last year.

The 'Discussion Paper' dated March 7, 2011 is online but the first page of that report states that it is "Not for Public Distribution". So, if you wish to read it, go right ahead.

I am very pleased that at least three candidates for our City Council have indicated their interest and concerns over the issues of the tanks remaining where so many of us do not want them to be.

There have been lawsuits filed and promises made, but still the tanks stand.

I have been resolved for years that, should even a major explosion/fire occur, not even a 'worst-case scenario', that my wife and I, should we be at home or nearby at the time, will be killed quickly after the first small explosion happens.

You see, if or when those tanks fail, they are not the only petroleum storage or refining structures nearby. Just look to the north and east of the twin monsters, what do you see?

The history regarding the tanks also includes the Port of Los Angeles not renewing the ability to use the underground pipelines for those tanks to transport products.

The history also includes calls for moving the tanks or replacing them with new tanks on 'Pier 500' which is supposed to be the tanker ship berths in the outer harbor area.

Do you smell new lawsuits, yet?

A very intelligent and wise resident of Rancho Palos Verdes believes that our residents and business owners have standing to sue the Port of Los Angeles because of failure to mitigate environmental hazards for those of us living in Rancho Palos Verdes.

That gentleman, along with several others, worked very hard to begin a process that eventually was found worthy enough by the Natural Resources Defense Council and their legal department, that brought suit against the Port of Los Angeles, and do you know what?

The Plaintiffs WON!

That lawsuit was more centered on the TRE-PAC expansion but it might have provided an illustration as to what others can do, to deal with the pollution and hazards directly caused by the operation within the Port of Los Angeles and the nearby petroleum refining and storage facilities.

Might it take a lawsuit filed on behalf of the residents of Rancho Palos Verdes by our own City Council to begin the ball rolling?

What are the opinions of our eight candidates for the three seats opening up?

Would the new Council work to seek outside assistance from the Natural Resources Defense Council or other groups beneficial to the environment we live in, to work to get the tanks removed or relocated? I think all voters need to know where these candidates stand on whether and how much they support the environment of the residents and visitors of our city.

I think our residents and government need to work more closely with the residents and local governors of the San Pedro area to bring together a large coalition of residents and business owners who will have the will and the might to deal with the company operating the tanks.

I know residents of Rancho Palos Verdes and our city government cannot 'go it alone' and many of us have relied on efforts of those living in San Pedro, to work to better the lives of all of us.

We, the residents of the eastern side of the city of Rancho Palos Verdes need those tanks gone!

The business owners and workers of our area, many also residents of the area, must see those tanks gone, too!

There is no doubt and there is no one who can deny that the tanks pose a real and present danger to our residents and businesses in Rancho Palos Verdes.

THEY MUST GO!

With the best makeup of Council members possible in our city, beginning this December, perhaps our city will move forward to help make that happen.