AmeriGas - Panama City Terminal - Executive Summary

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
AmeriGas Propane L.P. ("AmeriGas") is the nation's largest distributor of propane in the United States, with over 600 retail locations, 300 satellite locations, and 12 terminal locations. We operate in 45 states with over 5,500 employees. We are the industry leader in gallons distributed and customers served, and we continuously strive to be the industry leader in safety innovation and practices. We constantly endeavor to improve our safety performance as it relates to our employees, our customers, the environment and the general public with whom we work.  
 
AmeriGas staffs a professional Safety Department at our Corporate Headquarters in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. AmeriGas also has six Regional Safety Managers, an Operations Safety Manager , a Safety & Technology Manager, and a Logistics & Supply Safety Manager strategically located throughout the United States. Terminal locations are staffed with a Regional Logistics Manager, who has received extensive safety ma 
nagement training. These safety professionals are able to immediately respond to a serious incident and provide technical expertise to emergency response agencies on the scene of the incident. AmeriGas also has a 24-hours-a -day Emergency Communications Center, which handles all after-hours and emergency calls from around the country. Located in Rocklin, California, the ECC has the ability to contact AmeriGas field personnel on any type of incident encountered at any AmeriGas location, or by AmeriGas customers.   
 
 
Accidental Release Prevention  
 
At this facility we store and distribute propane. The same properties that make propane valuable as a fuel also make it necessary to observe certain safety precautions in handling propane to prevent unnecessary human exposure, to reduce potential hazards to our own personal health and safety as well as our coworkers, and to reduce the potential hazard to nearby members of the community. It is our Company's policy to adhere to all applicable Fe 
deral, state and local rules and regulations. Safe handling of propane is dependent upon a number of factors, including the safety devices inherent in the design of this facility, safe handling procedures, and the continuous training of our personnel. 
 
 
Stationary Source and Regulated Substances Handled 
 
The primary purpose of this facility is to store and distribute propane to wholesale customers and AmeriGas retail locations. Propane is primarily used by our customers as a fuel. Propane is received by transport truck and barges, and stored in bulk storage tanks. Propane is distributed to wholesale customers and other AmeriGas locations by bobtails and transport trucks. This facility has specialized equipment for unloading and loading propane. Access to the site is restricted to authorized facility employees, authorized management personnel and authorized contractors. 
 
The regulated substance handled at this facility is propane.  
 
The maximum amount of propane that can be stored at th 
is facility is 3,213,757 pounds.  
 
 
Worst-Case Scenario and Alternative Scenario 
 
Information concerning the Worst-Case Scenario and Alternative Scenario for this facility are contained in the appropriate Sections of the Risk Management Plan.  
 
 
 
Emergency Response Plan, Accidental Release Program and Specific Prevention Steps:  
 
This AmeriGas propane storage and distribution facility complies with the EPA's Accidental Release Prevention Rule and all applicable federal, state and local codes and regulations. This facility was designed and constructed in accordance with NFPA-58. All of our drivers have been thoroughly trained using the National Propane Gas Association's Certified Employee Training Program (CETP). The worst-case scenario and alternative scenario have an extremely small chance of occurring. Our propane storage tanks are designed for propane and butane service and may remain in service indefinitely. Our preventative maintenance program ensures that our bulk storage tanks a 
re structurally sound, are maintained regularly, and are inspected per industry standards and state law. 
 
 
Five Year Accident History 
 
This facility has not had a reportable release of propane in the past five years. 
 
 
Emergency Response Program 
 
The emergency response plan for this AmeriGas facility includes procedures for notification of the local fire, law enforcement and medical authorities, as well as notification of any potentially affected neighbors. 
 
This facility's emergency response program is based upon the following publications and standards: 
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) LP-Gas Safety Handbooks:  
"Guidelines for Developing Plant Emergency Procedures" and  
"How to Control LP-Gas Leaks and Fires."  
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety & Health Standards for General Industry (29 CFR 1910):  
Section 38, "Employee Emergency Plan and Fire Prevention Plans" and  
Section 120, "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response"  
Nationa 
l Fire Protection Association (NFPA):  
NFPA-58, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code and  
NFPA-54, the National Fuel Gas Code.   
 
We have discussed this program with the Bay County Office of Public Safety / Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Bay County Office of Emergency Management. A representative of the Florida Bureau of LP Gas visited and inspected this facility on 05/12/98. 
 
 
 
Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
This facility was constructed in 1950 and is in compliance with NFPA-58 Standard. In June of 2000, we plan to place guard posts along plant piping to protect from vehicle contact. And July 2000 we plan to replace 150 PSIG valves on the barge dock with 300 PSIG valves and flanges. These planned changes will meet and / or exceed NFPA-58, 1998 Edition.
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