Editor:
Re: Residents concerned as Burnaby refinery looks to add more storage tanks, NOW news
I am writing regarding the householder Parkland Gas circulated in Capitol Hill after residents met with Mayor Mike Hurley and four councillors to share our concerns regarding the expansion proposal.
Six of the eight storage tanks are to achieve provincially-mandated renewable and low carbon fuel requirements - those six are flagged for biofeedstock.
However, Parkland Gas is also applying for two massive new fuel storage tanks that have nothing to do with cleaner fuel.
Those two floating roof tanks would introduce significant levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the neighbourhood as well as the associated health affects identified in a 2002 UBC study of air quality next to the (then Chevron) tank farm at the foot of Willingdon Avenue; elevated risk of cancer and increased irritation for people with asthma or other respiratory issues.
Parkland Gas is already the largest emitter of industrial GHGs in the Metro Vancouver region after a couple of local cement plants. GHGs from just those two floating roof tanks would increase by at least 110 tonnes per year, resulting in an overall increase to the almost 500,000 tonnes per year already dumped into our airshed by Parkland Gas.
Right here in Burnaby.
That’s why we’re asking all level of government to reject those two new, massive floating roof fuel storage tanks; they have nothing to do with producing cleaner fuel and everything to do with further polluting the air for people who live right across the street and throughout Burnaby.
Peter Cech, Burnaby
