Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.-Des Moines - Executive Summary |
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The Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. - Des Moines Underground Storage Facility and Propane Terminal is a ethane, propane, and butane underground storage facility, and a propane truck loading terminal. The facility handles quantities of ethane, propane, butane and ethyl mercaptan in excess of the Environmental Protection Agency's Risk Management Planning (RMP) threshold planning quantity for a flammable substance. The facility is considered a RMP program 3 facility. The facility is primarily regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), as it is part of our interstate pipeline system. DOT-regulated facilities are exempted from the Risk Management Plan requirements, since the DOT already requires an emergency contingency plan for them. The DOT does not exercise regulatory authority over below ground storage; therefore, the three underground LPG storage caverns are regulated by the RMP requirements. The three propane storage tanks racks and the ethyl mercaptan storage tanks that supply the truck loading are also separate from the pipeline system and are included in this RMP. The facility receives ethane, propane and butane via a DOT-regulated pipeline, stores ethane in a 3,200,000 gallon underground storage cavern, stores propane in a 6,500,000 gallon underground storage cavern, stores butane in a 2,300,000 gallon underground storage cavern, and delivers those products to a DOT-regulated pipeline for transportation to markets. There is also a propane truck loading rack, with three 75,000 gallon propane "bullet" storage tanks and a total of 2,100 gallons (13,000 pounds) of ethyl mercaptan storage capacity. The underground storage caverns and the propane terminal at the facility are subject to and comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) regulations, including the process safety management (PSM) requirements. The facility also prepares and provides annual SARA Tier II Chemical Inventory reports to the State Emergency Planning Commission, Local Emergency Planning Committee, and local fire department. The facility has process controls in place, including: automatic and manual shutoffs, alarms, vents, relief and check valves, excess flow devices, and grounding equipment. In addition, the facility has UV/IR fire detection "eyes" process area detectors. A Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) is conducted every five years as part of the OSHA PSM requirements. Facility personnel undergo operations competency training and testing, and emergency response training. The facility is inspected and audited on a compliance schedule. The worst case release scenario is a release from the propane underground storage cavern. The quantity of propane that could be released and contribute to the worst case scenario is estimated at 420,000 gallons of propane (1,800,000 pounds), resulting in a vapor cloud explosion. The worst case scenario vapor cloud explosion would potentially affect nearby public receptors. The facility has h ad two accidental releases of propane; one was in 1998 and the other in 1995. The largest release was estimated to be 1760 pounds. Neither release resulted in offsite or onsite injuries, deaths, property damage, or environmental damage. Emergency response organizations were notified and responded to each release. |