Corpusfishing.com

gonefishing · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:42 am Post subject: 220 lbs of mercury to dump...

I usually try and steer clear of controversial topics on forums like this, but any project wishing to dump 200+ pounds of mercury every year into the atmosphere in the south Texas region needs some serious review. Will the Los Brisas project make some of our waters unfishable? I'm already weary of heavy metals and PCBs in fish and generally only eat smaller fish for that very reason. Will the atmospheric mercury be insignificant, or is this going to translate into lowered IQ points for the next generation around here. Is this Huxley's Brave New World? It makes no economic sense to bring in one money-making venture that drives out another. If the CC area became polluted and unfishable, I suspect the tourism industry would take a major nosedive.

-Michael S. Williamson

Oil Field Trash II · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 1560

I would hesitate to call any mercury "insignificant", but compared to other industries (namely coal fired powerplants), 220 lbs per year is a low number.

http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/pub315.cfm

Search that document for mercury for some numbers.

in short, east texas has several power plants which put out over 1,000 lbs of mercury per year.

fishinglady · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject:

Not only will the pet-coke fired plant put mercury into the water, it will pollute the air. In addition to that, the new "pipe" plant [owned by the Chinese] that may be built in San Patricio county is actually a steel mill that will use an arc furnace to melt down scrap metal .... Talk about pollution.
If all the fishermen and others who care about the quality of life here in Corpus don't start speaking out and putting pressure on the mayor, city council people and county commissioners, Corpus will soon be as polluted as Beaumont/Port Arthur/Houston area.

Bluffer · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject:

Supposed to lower electric rates by 9 cents a kw hr?
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fishinglady · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:22 pm Post subject:

Lower electric rates??? I doubt it. They will probably send all their electricity to the proposed steel mill. With the electric arc furnaces, the steel mill needs serious electricity, and I have read that such a mill draws so much electricity that it often causes surges and brown-outs to other customers of the same electricity provider.

Evan if the pet-coke plant did bring somewhat lower electric rates, does that make up for polluting our air and water? When the air contaminants push Nueces county into non-attainment, we will all have to pay higher charges for car inspections and face tougher auto emission standards. We could get cheaper electricity from wind turbines and solar panels...and keep our air and water clean.

Am I the only one that sees irony in a city council that votes to ban smoking in all public places "for the sake of the health of the citizens" but then turns around and votes support to bring in two of the most polluting types of industries known to man?

rabbit · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:02 am Post subject:

The pipe plant will also increase truck traffic. Carbon Arc is a lot cleaner than coke fired smelters. They will probably pattern themselves after SMI in Seguin.
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snakecan2 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

almost better to get a nuclear plant and hope there are no leaks.. cus if there is at least we new something happened when are hair falls out and the fish have 2 heads.. Rolling Eyes

not wondering why we not feeling to good and the plant has already closed and kids cant even say mommy or daddy..
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Bluffer · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:02 am Post subject:

You gotta die some day. Confused

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B-1 83 · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:00 am Post subject:

It's a wonder any business would ever want to move to Corpus. Rolling Eyes

gonefishing

There are plenty of industries that are far cleaner than those who propose burning PET coke in this manner. Its my understanding that the bear's share of the jobs this plant will create will be construction only, with only about 70 permanent.

Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-industry, but I am against the development of plants that will produce long-term problems, especially those that risk destroying an even bigger money making industry than the 70 or so jobs that Las Brisas will be bringing into the community. I guess I'm just greedy. I want to be able to eat the fish around here and not loose my mind in a decade or so. If I have children in the future, I want the best for them, and the same or better fishing opportunities I have today. This project may end up being a net loss financially for the community, a heath hazard, and a permanent destroyer of natural resources. I don't want that kind of industry around, plain and simple. If we don't watch out with the dirty burning, this place is going to smell as bad as Houston and Beijing.

Furthermore, if we go over ozone limits consider this:
70 jobs @ $100,000 yr = 7 million.
180000 cars needing annual smog certification @ $40 a pop = 7.2 million.

I'm only guessing on the number of cars in Corpus, but I suspect it is probably higher than this. I called a shop in Houston to confirm the cost of the smog test.

-Michael

CastnBlast · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

Here's the problem as I see it. We form our opinions off what the media call sound bites - little bites of information that are not always reliable, but help tell a piece of the story in small bites. Before long, the water is polluted and we are all going to die. Take time to research the facts, gather the information, and make sure that you are forming your opinions based on facts, not bias. Think about this for a minute - The refineries for the most part have said this project will be o.k. for them - and if their emissions were going to push us into non attainment, then it would INCREASE their cost of production. Refineries don't want their costs increased anymore than we want our fuel increased. This project is going to push over $400million in tax revenues into our City, County, Del Mar, and School Districts. If the science as produced by unbiased reports like TCEQ say it won't affect our attainment status, then we should support this - If we don't, the revenue from this project will likely jump across the County Line to San Pat. Want your street fixed? You might want to think about it...

There are a lot more reasons for us to have this plant here - shortages on the power grid affect all of us - the reserve requirements are currently below the state mandate - approx. 5%. it should be twice that. The need for electricity is real.

HOWEVER...If the science behind the project indicates otherwise, then I could hardly support such a project - it could wind up costing jobs. I feel fairly certain this project will do what it is supposed to, and I support it.
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Vegetarian (n)...Old indian word for bad hunter

Mansfield Mauler · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

topdog15 · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

CastnBlast · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys - If you want this level headed mentality on your City Council, I'd appreciate your vote if you live in District 1. My real name is Kevin Kieschnick and this is how I approach issues. I spoke to Tyler and he gave me the o.k. to publicise that I am running for Council. By the way - I am an avid offshore kayak angler...
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Vegetarian (n)...Old indian word for bad hunter

Big John · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 2647

Behind CastnBlast here too. Great levle headed response.
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