U.S. Department of Transportation representatives will accompany state Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Pipeline Safety officials on an inspection of the natural gas facility at Jefferson Island, owned and run by Atlanta-based AGL Resources. This inspection is being made at the request of the Iberia Parish Council.
On Jan. 29, a loud release of natural gas from the facility following a power outage alarmed many residents of the Lake Peigneur area. As a result, members of the community action group Save Lake Peigneur petitioned the Parish Council to request involvement at both the state and federal levels in investigating the matter.
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“We have full faith and confidence in the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources,” said Stephanie Allen, Landrieu’s press secretary. “At the request of the Iberia Parish Council, Sen. Landrieu has asked U.S. DOT officials to take part in the inspection.”
Also at issue is AGL Resources intention to withdraw 5.18 million gallons of drinking water per day, for four years, from two underground caverns at the Jefferson Island Facility.
Stephen Langlinais, engineer and member of the board of Save Lake Peigneur, said the two caverns are approximately the same size as the former twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Specifically, Langlinais cites concerns that drilling will increase the current south to north flow from the Chico Aquifer, resulting in the increased encroachment of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico into area water supplies.
“Several farmers are already experiencing saltwater concentration in their irrigation wells, which are too high for use in irrigating their rice crops,” Langlinais said at a meeting held by Save Lake Peigneur March 11. “They are having to abandon their expensive farm irrigation wells.”
Keith Poston, managing director of corporate communications at AGL Resources, said his company has the utmost confidence in it’s internal safety measures and welcomes any review of the matter.
“We’ve now completed our internal review of the Jan. 29th gas release at JISH, and have determined the exact amount of gas released was 214.3 Mcf (1,000 cubic feet), not 146 Mcf as originally estimated during the event,” he said. “As I mentioned before, regardless of the exact amount, there was never any risk to the public.
“In addition, while the Louisiana State Police was notified within one hour as required, the Vermilion Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness was not notified, which is in fact part of our own plan. We have since met with the director of the Vermilion OHSEP and reviewed our operations and reporting plans going forward.”
Comments
Deborah White wrote on Mar 31, 2008 8:34 AM:
lake resident wrote on Mar 27, 2008 3:01 PM:
Lives in Jefferson Island as well wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:42 PM:
How can you compare loud music to mysterious bubbles in the lake. If there is another disaster like the Salt Mine then what will you do? You won't have to worry about selling your house because you won't have one to sell. Put your differences aside. If anything would ever happen to the lake, think of the effect it would have on hundreds of people. I personally don't care if you like your neighbors but come on. This is in your backyard. "
lake resident wrote on Mar 24, 2008 12:31 PM:
David wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:49 AM:
It is bad enough to create your own disaster, but completely different to stand idol while others create it for you. When we think that this foolishness will end with end ownly in this area. It is intruding at your back door also. The lake is vunerable to all types of disasters and if you look at history you will find it repeats itself. "
lake resident wrote on Mar 22, 2008 7:41 AM:
Resident of Lake Peigneur wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:19 AM:
Jefferson Island Resident wrote on Mar 20, 2008 11:54 AM:
lake resident also wrote on Mar 20, 2008 5:49 AM:
Who Cares wrote on Mar 19, 2008 2:27 PM:
Jefferson Island Resident wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:32 AM: