The following document from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control describes CP’s plan to modify their waste water storage system. Public input is invited at an Oct. 6 meeting, 6:00pm, at the Rodeo Senior Citizen’s Center.
Community CAP meeting scheduled
ConocoPhillips – Rodeo Refinery
Community Advisory Panel
What Is Planned?
The 2nd Annual Community Meeting Hosted by the
ConocoPhillips Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
Who Is Invited?
Everyone from the Communities Surrounding the ConocoPhillips Refinery
(Crockett, Port Costa, Rodeo, and Tormey)
When Will the Meeting Occur?
Monday, August 22, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Where Will the Meeting Occur?
Crockett Community Center (850 Pomona St, Crockett, CA)
What Is the Agenda?
Dialogue with the CAP on the Following:
• Purpose and History of the CAP
• SF Refinery Website (sfrefinery.com)
• Proposed CAP Focus and Agenda Topics
• Community Input, Questions and Answers
Questions or More Information?
Tom Stewart, CAP Facilitator
925-229-0440 or cap.mail@sbcglobal.net
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ConocoPhillips top exec doing fine!
As ConocoPhillips runs and funds a campaign against the Measure A parcel tax designed to help our kid get a better education, their top exec is being rewarded with unprecedented compensation. Priorities? ConocoPhillips’ priorities are clear!
NEW YORK – ConocoPhillips’ top executive received a 25 percent increase in compensation last year as higher oil prices helped the Houston company nearly triple its net income.
Read the full story here. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110404/ap_on_bi_ge/us_conocophillips_executive_compensation
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CCTimes article on Push Poll
Residents polled on John Swett school district, upcoming parcel tax
By Shelly Meron
Contra Costa Times
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 03/25/2011 08:29:27 PM PDT
Supporters of a tax measure for the John Swett school district say a recent phone survey targeting potential voters in the area is misleading and meant to stir up negative feelings toward local educators…
Read the full article here. http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_17704048?fb
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Tough campaign ahead for John Swett parcel tax
A CCTimes article by Shelly Meron about the ConocoPhillips “employee” lawsuit against the wording of the “Measure A” ballot language is here.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17648414?nclick_check=1
(excerpt)
John Swett school district officials are trying again for a parcel tax this spring, and a recent skirmish in court shows they may be in for another contentious campaign.
Earlier this month, district officials had to appear in court when Crockett resident Deborah Lowe filed a suit arguing Measure A’s ballot language was biased. She demanded the district change its ballot language because it would likely “prejudice voters in favor of the parcel tax.”
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New Push Poll from CP
I just got a phone call from a company in Virginia that came up as “Triangle” on my phone. It was clear from the questions that it was another push poll sponsored by ConocoPhillips and was very similar to the one for Measure J, but of course this one was for Measure A, the parcel tax to maintain education in our schools.
I didn’t record the phone call, but I do remember most of the arguments against the measure not necessarily in this order:
- The John Swett District has a negative rating and doesn’t know how to handle the funds they have.
- They were forced to change the wording of the ballot measure after being sued, showing that the district sets a bad example for our kids as they don’t know how to play by the rules.
- The district is spending $50,000 on this special election which should be spent on the education of our kids.
- The district should finish spending the $17 million they’ve got before asking for more.
- This could force business owners to layoff employees.
I, of course, welcome comments.
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Report on 3/7/11 LUP hearing
Mark Hughes spoke for the refinery first and reported the progress and thanked the county.
I spoke for the Community Working Group and thanked the county, reported the progress with the County’s recommendation of the odor study and the guaranteed uptime of the fenceline. I then went on about the enforcement of this and any other conditions that the refinery is to meet. Namely how will it happen?
Carol Lampson from Crockett made a passionate plea for the county to control this refinery that is trashing our communities with pollution and hate campaigns against our schools.
Mr. Hughes took the pulpit again and stated that he did have objections to Will’s recommendations regarding the odor study (they don’t want to do it) and the uptime of the fenceline. Seems that their idea of progress is dragging things on?
Channel 7 from SF had a camera running and Heather Ishimaru interviewed me and others but it did not seem to make it to air.
Here is the text of my testimony…
Ed Tannenbaum Testimony
re:ConocoPhillips at Zoning commission hearing March 7, 2011
As a member of the Community Working Group that has been negotiating with the refinery to bring the Fenceline Monitoring System up to a reasonable operable condition with some specified accuracy and reliability, we truly appreciated the county’s efforts. We feel that progress is finally being made with the recommendations to the commission of senior planner Will Nelson, namely that an odor audit of the refinery should be performed, and that a standard for uptime of the Fenceline monitoring system must be specified and met. The question remains, how will it be enforced?
I have been involved with the group for about 10 years. While negotiating conditions of the “CFEP”, the refinery made several promises. Some were made verbally to community members, and some were put in writing and attached as conditions to the land use permit.
The refinery has not kept virtually any their verbal promises, including the renewal of the Good Neighbor Agreement and agreements to make improvements to the fenceline to increase its sensitivity and reliability. During our meetings with refinery management, even with the county’s agent present, we are told repeatedly “sure we’ll do that, but we don’t need to put it in writing”. We’re supposed to trust them?
Let’s look at their track record. If they promise verbally, forget it. If it’s on paper but not signed by management, it’s not official, so forget it. If it’s on paper and signed, they’ll just ignore it. Then, if caught, they let the lawyers find the loopholes (that they intentionally snuck in) and deny it. If all else fails, throw money at it. They’ve got plenty of that.
And thrown money they have. They re-erected the defunct gold-plated retro-reflectors and TDLS (already deemed worthless in a previous audit), and reconnected the useless organic gas detectors, instead of making the verbally agreed to improvements. They just paid $25,000 for a now useless particulate monitoring study so the county could check that one off.
It is not disputed, it’s a fact that the refinery started up the expansion project without fulfilling many conditions set forth by the county. When this was discovered by community members and reported, the county had only two choices; fine the refinery $500 a day, or require them to comply. Wow. The management and lawyers must have been petrified. It’s the same penalty a landlord would get if someone is found living in a zoned commercial space.
Again, we appreciate the County’s help, but what about the future? The record shows that ConocoPhillips can and will try to get away with just about anything the zoning commission dictates, as there is no penalty for non-compliance short of revocation of the LUP. Apparently the county doesn’t see that as an option for some reason, and the refinery behaves accordingly. Also, why is the community doing the County’s job of policing the refinery?
We ask for a two month continuance to work with the county and refinery to bring the fenceline up to reasonable scientific standards with the necessary improvements. We also ask that a county commission be set up including informed local citizens, funded by the refinery through the county, with enforcement powers. If anyone has any better ideas, please speak up. Our communities have been victims of failure of enforcement. That needs to be addressed before we become victims of another, more serious accident.
The SI of School District on CP’s LIES
Schools Update
(reprinted from the March 2011 Crockett Signal)
by Dr. Mike McLaughlin
Superintendent, John Swett Schools
We Don’t Have 17 Million Dollars !!!
As the John Swett Unified School District goes out for another parcel tax, it is shocking to still find ConocoPhillips relying on a LIE to destroy our campaign. Over and over again we hear their statement that the district has 17 million dollars in the bank and that we have the “wrong priorities”.
Well, here are the facts: In 2008 the citizens of the John Swett Unified School District approved a $20 million bond to repair the aging John Swett High School. Let’s say that again: The citizens of the John Swett Unified School District approved a $20 million bond to repair the aging John Swett High School. Those dollars are already allocated for a modernization project approved by the community that will take three to four years to complete. During that time you will see construction in progress and sometimes you will not. Just like modernizing your home, it just doesn’t happen all at once. It takes time! But, during that time there is NO MONEY for other projects. The $20 million is for John Swett High School only. Here are some of the projects that are included in your $20 million:
-Athletic Field Modernization
-Gymnasium Modernization
-Classroom Modernization-(Classrooms are too small and illegal by state standards)
-Brick Repair
-New Music and Arts Building
-New Library
-Improved Technology Infrastructure
-New Parking Lot
As you can see from the above list of items there is no mention of programs for students. The $20 million is for building/facility projects only. That is what the community voted for and that is all it can be spent on.
Let’s see if I can address ConocoPhillips statement, “Wrong Priorities”
How, in any culture or society, can a child’s education be the wrong priority? What should our priority be as a school — invest in oil? Should our priorities be to not provide programs like music, athletics, art, science, technology, etc.? ConocoPhillips has enough money to provide a world class education to not only our school district but many more just like us in their communities. Ask yourself when you read statements from ConocoPhillips: Has the oil industry ever lied to the public? Of course, they have. Even in our small community, ConocoPhillips cannot even commit to a Good Neighbor Agreement.
As I have mentioned in early articles, our school district is in need of the communities’ help. In our Measure A to be voted on in May, we have even lowered our dollar amount from $96 to $60 a parcel for households and lowered industries cost from $.015 a square foot to $.0085 per square foot. These amounts will help us keep programs like music, art, athletics, science labs, technology, and ensure no more increased class sizes. For $5 dollars a month, we can provide our children with the education they deserve. Don’t be fooled by ConocoPhillips tactics or lies. They are a wealthy oil company who has clearly stated that their priorities are not children or their education. Let’s send them a message that our community does care about our children and their education and yes, ConocoPhillips should pay their fair share!
We will be sending out informative flyers on how your $20 million is being spent. We also had an independent auditor analyze how your dollars are being spent. This audit was clean and is available for public review. We also have a public oversight committee which includes community members from Crockett, Rodeo, and Hercules to review the bond expenditures. So, what I am trying to say is that we have the facts for you to look at when ConocoPhillips decides to slander the district again.
Education is the most precious resource we can provide our children. An educated child will ensure that our society continues to prosper and grow. Please help us continue to provide these resources to our children by supporting Measure A in May.
I thank you in advance for your support!
Mike McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Monday – County Hearing on ConocoPhillips
See the Contra Costa Times article here.
1:30 PM, March 7, 2011,
McBrien Administration Building, Room 107
Pine and Escobar Streets
Martinez, CA
You will be able to make comments at the start of the topic as long as a written request is put before that topic starts. Please make your voice heard. We are making progress and need community support.
The PDF of the agenda is shown below:
A staff report to the Zoning Commissioner regarding ConocoPhillips is shown below:
Hint: Click on the upper right icon for full page view or download it using the link just above this text.
Fenceline Data From Web – SNAFU
This is a PDF of tonight’s look at the contractor’s website that is supposed to report the data in real time from the fenceline instruments.
According to the refinery and the newly drafted operations specifications for the fenceline system, the contractor is supposed to be alerted when instruments are offline or are not reporting data. The cause is supposed to be posted on the website and repaired quickly.
A brief look at the webpage shows all of the instruments on the south fenceline are offline. Further scrutiny reveals that they have been down for about 28 hours. There is no reason given, only that all systems are normal.
Here is the definition of SNAFU.
Here is the link to the contractor’s “beta” reporting website.
Here is the homepage of the contractor Argos Scientific.
Please note that a condition of the land use permit (condition number 13), states that we will have a consistently operable fenceline system. In fact, even while we are trying to resolve ongoing condition violations with the refinery, they continue to have a system that only marginally works, and only sometimes, at best!
Download (PDF, 73.49KB)
Hint: Click on the upper right icon for full page view or download it using the link just above this text.