Solar Gas Inc. - Executive Summary |
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Amerada Hess Corporation United States Onshore Production United States Environmental Protection Agency - Risk Management Program EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CERTIFICATION LETTER Based on the criteria in 40 CFR 68.10, the distance to the specified endpoint for the worst-case accidental release scenario for the following process is less than the distance to the nearest public receptor. Solar Gas Inc. identified potential candidates for worst-case scenarios and utilized the services of the Wilfred Baker Engineering Company of San Antonio, Texas to perform consequence analyses using the commercially available DNV Technica PHAST dispersion program and the Baker-Strehlow methodology for determining the RMP designated 1-psi overpressure contour. According to the analyses, the greatest maximum end point for a 1-psi vapor cloud explosion (VCE) is 400 feet from the center of the explosion, resulting from the instantaneous release of the inventory contained in the Propane storage bullet when fille d to the greatest amount allowed (246,415 pounds). This worst-case release would not affect any public or environmental receptor beyond property owned and occupied by Solar Gas Inc. Within the past five years, Solar Gas Inc. has had no accidental release that caused offsite impacts as defined by the Risk Management Program rule (40 CFR 68.10(b)(1). No additional measures beyond those stated in the Planned Changes to Improve Safety section of the executive summary are necessary to prevent offsite impacts from accidental releases. In the event of fire, explosion, or a release of a regulated substance from the process, entry within the distance to the specified endpoints may pose a danger to public emergency responders. Therefore, public emergency responders should not enter this area except as arranged with the emergency contact indicated in the RMP. The undersigned certifies that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the informati on submitted is true, accurate and complete. Milt Brumwell ________________________________ ________________________________ Signature CAVERN SUPERINTENDENT _______________________________________ _________________________________ Title Date ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE POLICIES Solar Gas Inc. has a long-standing commitment to worker and public safety. This commitment is demonstrated by the investment of significant resources in accident prevention, such as personnel training, mechanical inspection, process control systems and by recognition of safety as a primary factor in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of our processes. However, if an accidental release does occur, it is our poli cy to block and bleed the process and notify the Polk County emergency services department (911) and request that they respond to the emergency along with our trained emergency response personnel. To prevent accidental releases, Solar Gas Inc. achieves control of hazardous materials by: 7 A commitment to OSHA's PSM and HAZWOPER standards, EPA's RMP, and the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials Transportation Act regulations which promote and require adherence to process safety activities designed to prevent accidental releases. 7 Development and use of Amerada Hess Corporation and Solar Gas Inc. safety, operating, maintenance, emergency response, engineering design and construction policies, procedures and practices designed to prevent accidents and potential releases. 7 Knowledge of and adherence to applicable industry recognized standards, specifications and recommended practices that address and provide guidance for the proper design, construction and operation of fa cilities containing hazardous materials. 7 A comprehensive equipment inspection and testing program. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATIONARY SOURCE AND REGULATED SUBSTANCES Solar Gas Inc., located 1 mile East of the city of Mentor, Minnesota on U.S. Highway 2, is a Propane storage and distribution facility owned and operated by Amerada Hess Corporation. The facility consists of an underground storage cavern, associated surface equipment for product treating and transfer, and an office. The facility contains a regulated flammable i.e., commercial propane. Unodorized Propane is received by railcar and pumped into the cavern. Propane sold by Solar Gas is odorized with Ethyl Mercaptan prior to loading into tank trucks and railcars for industrial and residential consumption primarily in North Dakota and Minnesota. The Ethyl Mercaptan is below the listed RMP threshold quantities. All of the Propane to be stored arrives by rail; most outbound shipments are by transport trucks. GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM Processes at the facility that are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Risk Management Program (RMP) regulation are also subject to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA's) Process Safety Management (PSM) standard. Solar Gas Inc. adheres to all applicable federal and state regulatory statutes. FIVE YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY Within the past five years, Solar Gas Inc. has had no accidental release that caused off site impacts as defined by the Risk Management Program rule (40 CFR 68.10(b)(1). Within the past 5 years the facility has not experienced an incident involving regulated flammables that caused deaths, injuries, property or environmental damage, evacuations or sheltering in place. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM INFORMATION Solar Gas Inc. maintains a written emergency action program, which is designed to protect worker and public safety as well as the environment. The program consists of procedures f or responding to a release of a regulated substance, including the possibility of a fire or explosion if a flammable substance is involved. The procedure addresses emergency response, proper first aid and medical treatment, evacuation plans, accounting for personnel, notification of local emergency response agencies and the public. In addition, the facility has procedures that address maintenance, inspection and testing and instructions in the use of emergency response equipment. Employees receive training in these procedures as necessary to perform their specific emergency response duties. The emergency action plan is updated when necessary based on modifications made to the facility. WORST CASE RELEASE SCENARIO Solar Gas Inc. identified potential candidates for worst case scenarios and utilized the services of the Wilfred Baker Engineering Company of San Antonio, Texas to perform consequence analyses using the commercially available DNV Technica PHAST dispersion program and th e Baker-Strehlow methodology for determining the RMP desgnated 1- psi overpressure contour. According to the analyses, the greatest maximum end point for a 1-psi vapor cloud explosion (VCE) is 400 feet from the center of the explosion, resulting from the instantaneous release of the inventory contained in the Propane storage bullet when filled to the greatest amount allowed (246,415 pounds). This worst-case release would not affect any public or environmental receptor beyond property owned and occupied by Solar Gas Inc. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY Solar Gas Inc. conducts ongoing efforts to reduce risk through the Risk Management Program and Process Safety Management. These include recommendations from process hazards analyses, employee suggestions, and recommendations from incident investigations, recommendations from compliance audits and review of the preventative maintenance and mechanical integrity program information. |