Great Plains Co-op - Executive Summary

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            Risk Management Plan (RMP) - Combined 
                      Executive Summary 
                      Great Plains Co-op 
                       Idalia, Colorado 
 
 
 1. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at Great Plains Co-op in Idalia are strongly committed to employee, public, and environmental 
safety.  This commitment is an inherent part of our comprehensive accidental release prevention 
program that covers areas such as design, installation, operating procedures, maintenance, and 
employee training associated with the processes at our facility.  It is our policy to implement 
appropriate controls to prevent possible releases of regulated substances.  If such a release does 
occur, our trained emergency response personnel are at hand to control and mitigate the effects of 
the release.  We also coordinate our response efforts with the Idalia Fire Department, which provides 
addition 
al emergency response expertise. 
 
 2. Stationary Source and Regulated Substances Handled 
Our facility's primary activities include support services for crop production.  We have anhydrous 
ammonia stored in 18,000- and 26,000-gallon interconnected tanks at our facility in Idalia (Figure 
1, ammonia).  The maximum amount stored is 37,400 gallons (192,460 pounds) at the maximum fill 
capacity of 85%. 
 
We also have propane stored in two 11,800-gallon tanks located at our facility in Idalia (Figure 1, 
propane).  The maximum amount stored is 20,060 gallons (84,713 pounds) at the maximum fill 
capacity of 85%. 
 
 3. Worst Case Release and Alternative Release Scenarios 
We utilized RMP PRO for the worst case and alternate case scenarios of the required offsite 
consequence analysis for our ammonia and propane facility.  The following details these scenarios. 
 
           3.1     Ammonia 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the 
interconnected an 
hydrous ammonia storage tanks (192,460 pounds) in gaseous form over a 10- 
minute period.  At Class F atmospheric stability, 1.5 m/s wind speed, and urban topography, the 
maximum distance to a toxic endpoint of 0.14 mg/L is 6 miles (Figure 2).  The estimated population 
within a 6-mile radius of this facility is 2,000. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a release from an anhydrous ammonia product line.  The 
scenario involves the release of 8,378.07 pounds of ammonia in a gaseous form over a period of 30 
minutes.  Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the toxic endpoint of 0.14 
mg/L of ammonia is 0.31 mile (Figure 3).  The estimated population within a 0.31-mile radius of the 
facility is 1,000. 
 
           3.2     Propane 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the 
interconnected propane storage tanks (84,713 pounds) in gaseous form over a 10-minute period.  At 
Class F atmospheric stability and 1.5 m/s wind sp 
eed, the maximum distance to an endpoint of 1 psi 
overpressure is 0.35 miles (Figure 2).  This amount of overpressure can cause partial demolition of 
houses and can result in serious injury to people within this distance.  The estimated population 
within a 0.35-mile radius of this facility is 1,000. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a 30-minute release of propane from a product line that 
contacts an ignition source and detonates, resulting in a vapor cloud explosion.  Under neutral 
weather conditions, the maximum distance to an endpoint of 1 psi overpressure is 0.13 mile (Figure 
3).  The estimated population within a 0.13-mile radius of this facility is 200. 
 
 4. General Accidental Release Prevention Program 
Our facility has taken all the necessary steps to comply with the EPA's accidental release prevention 
requirements as set forth in 40 CFR part 68.  The following sections briefly describe the elements 
of the release prevention program that is in place at our stationary so 
urce. 
 
Process Safety Information 
Great Plains Co-op maintains a detailed record of safety information that describes the chemical 
hazards, operating parameters, and equipment designs associated with all processes. 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducts comprehensive studies to ensure that hazards associated with our processes are 
identified and controlled effectively.  Any findings from the hazard analysis are addressed in a 
timely manner. 
 
Operating Procedures 
Great Plains Co-op maintains written operating procedures to ensure that activities within our 
covered processes are conducted safely.  These procedures address various modes of operation; the 
information is regularly reviewed and is readily accessible to operators involved in the processes. 
 
Training 
Great Plains Co-op has a comprehensive training program in place to ensure that employees who are 
operating processes are competent in the operating procedures associated with these processes. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Great P 
lains Co-op conducts documented maintenance checks on process equipment to ensure 
proper operation.  Maintenance checks are conducted by qualified personnel with previous training 
in maintenance practices.  Examples of process equipment that would receive maintenance checks 
include:  pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency 
shutdown systems, controls, and pumps.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by the maintenance 
checks are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures are in place at Great Plains Co-op to manage changes in process chemicals, 
technology, equipment, and procedures.  Process operators, maintenance personnel or other 
employees whose job tasks are affected by a modification in process conditions are promptly notified 
of the modification and offered training to deal with it. 
 
Pre-startup Reviews 
Great Plains Co-op routinely conducts pre-startup safety reviews related to new processes and 
modi 
fications in established processes.  These reviews are conducted to confirm that construction, 
equipment, and operating and maintenance procedures are suitable for safe startup prior to placing 
equipment into operation. 
 
Compliance Audits 
Great Plains Co-op conducts compliance audits on a regular basis to determine whether the plan's 
provisions, set out under the 40 CFR part 68, are being implemented.  Any non-compliance issue 
discovered during the audit is promptly corrected. 
 
Employee Participation 
Great Plains Co-op truly believes that process safety management and accident prevention is a team 
effort.  Company employees are strongly encouraged to express their views concerning accident 
prevention issues and to recommend improvements.  In addition, our employees have access to all 
information created as part of the facility's implementation of the RMP, particularly information 
resulting from process hazard analyses. 
 
 5. Five-year Accident History 
Great Plains Co-op has had an exce 
llent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 5 
years.  Due to our stringent release prevention policies, no accidental release has occurred during this 
period. 
 
 6. Emergency Response Plan 
Great Plains Co-op maintains a written emergency response plan to deal with accidental releases of 
hazardous materials.  The plan addresses all aspects of emergency response including first aid and 
medical treatment, evacuations, and notification of local emergency response agencies and the 
public.
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