The proposed crude oil tank farm location is between Interstate 45 South and Highway 3 near FM 2351.
Adrian Garcia, former Harris County sheriff and a candidate for Harris County commissioner, Precinct 2, has called on Harris County Commissioners to put the brakes on a proposed, massive, dangerous new petrochemical tank terminal at the entrance to Clear Lake.
“I’m taking a stand against polluters who are making our families and children sick,” Garcia said. “It is reported that a Hurricane Harvey polluter, Magellan Midstream Tank Terminal in Galena Park, now wants to build a massive petrochemical tank terminal of 58 tanks at the edge of Clear Lake on land that flooded Horsepen Bayou so badly a car was swept off Highway 3, drowning the driver during 2015’s May rain event,” Garcia continued.
“Harris County needs to say NO.”
NEAR HOMES
The land on which the company plans to put the crude oil tank farm is also near the Bay Knoll, Bay Glen and Sterling Knoll communities and in the path of the Ellington Airport runway.
Evelyn Merz, of the Houston Sierra Club, said: “It is crucial to evaluate the effect of a 58-tank farm facility on impervious cover and runoff in surrounding communities during storm events.
”Risks of water and air pollution spreading into residential areas have to be analyzed considering expected revision of 1% rainfall frequency, which will expand 100-year and 500-year floodplains. This location of a tank terminal is an area ripe for concern and local residents deserve an opportunity to review the proposal and defend their interests.”
Marie Flickinger, South Belt Leader editor, called attention to the proposed huge tank development at Clear Lake’s front door, while the Houston Chronicle spotlighted Magellan’s Harvey “spill” of ½ million gallons of gasoline and 2 million pounds of air pollution in Galena Park. The Chronicle also reports there are permitting issues with that Magellan site, even as the company seeks permission to build another one between Highway 3 and the Gulf Freeway, north of Clear Lake City Boulevard.
STRONG CONCERNS
Garcia expressed strong concerns about tank terminals leaking hazardous chemicals at multiple locations Precinct 2 and the associated health impacts on residents. At a minimum, he insists that before approval of new sites, tanks must be designed to not leak or shifted off foundations in major rain events. They should not be located in areas with flooding history or near residential neighborhoods and airport runways. And the public must be notified at the earliest possible moment when plans for such sites are being considered.
“Magellan caused massive pollution during Harvey, leaking half a million gallons of gas and over two million pounds of air pollution. It must not be rewarded with a new permit to double its number of tanks until they’re proven safe,” demands Adrian Garcia. “County officials can’t continue to ignore this. I’ll fight for Clear Lake and all Precinct 2 residents to not make same past mistake. I stand with local residents to stop the pollution.”
Residents can help stop the next Magellan mess from polluting the Clear Lake community and other communities, just like they stopped the Bayport rail line and kept “green spaces green.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if Exxon Mobil would consider restoring this land to a prairie habitat that could help with flooding? They could really get some positive press for leading the way in environmental sustainability. Installing a tank farm will require lots of concrete and impervious surfaces that will increase runoff thus contributing to local flooding.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Exxon Mobil would consider restoring this land to a prairie habitat that could be used to prevent flooding? They would receive some positive press for being a leader in environmental sustainability. Installing a tank farm will require lots of concrete and impervious surfaces that will increase runoff and will contribute to local flooding .
Wouldn’t it be nice if Exxon Mobil would consider restoring this land to a prairie habitat that could be used to prevent flooding? They would receive some positive press for being a leader in environmental sustainability. Installing a tank farm will require lots of concrete and impervious surfaces that will increase runoff and will contribute to local flooding .
How do I become involved in Assisting Mr. Garcia with stopping the development?
Opposed
Who would concerned citizens be able to contact over this matter? What do we do? Please let me know!
Best Rgrds,
I am highly opposed! How can I best support blocking this effort?
If you want to get involved call the current Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman (713) 909-0520 [email protected]
Opposed to this massive amount of tanks so close to residential area that already has a flooding problem.
Absolutely NO NO NO TANK FARM NEAR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!
More natural habitat being destroyed! This is dangerous for everyone and not needed. Since Harvey so much building work has put our lives at greater risk and forever ruined nature. Our children deserve better!
Opposed! Why not go to a far less populated area? We ship underwear and nearly everything else from China why not ship this product from further out of town?
If you’d like to fight to STOP the Magellan Mess, stop by Adrian Garcia Office at 1823 El Dorado at intersection with Space Center Blvd in Clear Lake. Call (832) 429-5465 or email [email protected]. We can’t be passive about this, we have to be ACTIVE!
Great bunch of knee-jerking going on here where progressives show their true colors. Keep up the good work!
PS. Probably most don’t know that land is already criss-crossed with pipelines, collection tanks and production wells and the environment is already damaged from Exxon’s ownership since Diamond Jim sold them the land. I’ve been out there. Have you? Anything a modern day terminal operator is going to do out there would be better than what’s there from an environmental point of view.
Opposed! There are plenty of “Chemical” zones around but Clear Lake is not one of them. We need something to COMPLIMENT this area which does not make the residents sick and bring down their home values.
The land has not be purchased according to City Council person. The County Commissioner has no control on what or how a property is developed. He can do nothing to stop or encourage development. I believe this property is still in the City of Houston and if so the City Councilperson is who you need to deal with.
I am opposed to the Tank Farm for many reasons, but let’s just talk about safety and common sense. Who puts flammable storage tanks at the foot of a runway let alone 58! If there is an accident during take off or landing the fire and explosions would be catastrophic!!!! Not a single airport in the country civilian or military puts fuel tanks at the end of a runway. Do you think there is a reason for that? It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that this is a time bomb waiting to happen.
I’m sure the FAA has regulations concerning this very issue. How about OSHA, Corp. of Engineers and the EPA. I am sure there are many other official parties that would love to weigh in with the same concerns for safety.
I am 100% for business development but not when safety is compromised. A little common sense should be applied in this application.
If you want to find out more about the Magellan Mess and the risks of tank terminals, contact [email protected].