Murphy Oil USA, Inc.
Superior Refinery Community Advisory Panel
May 1, 2003
Minutes
Attendees: Robyn Bass, Bob Browne, Megan Corbin, Bobbi Germond, Doug Finn, Frank Giesen, Steve Gotelaere, Mark Johnson, Keith Kesler, Lori Keute, Carol Lindberg, Courtney Podvin, Tom Strewler, Jessa Wicklund.
Industry Representatives: Liz Lundmark, Corey Mead, Dave Podratz.
Facilitator: Ann Green, Ann Green Communications, Inc.
Minutes: Ann Green.
The regular meeting of the Superior Refinery Community Advisory Panel (CAP) was held on Thursday, May 1, 2003 at the Holiday Inn Express in Superior. The meeting was called to order by facilitator Ann Green at 6 p.m. There were no additions to the agenda. Ann reviewed the team agreement/panel expectations. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented with the addition of Charlie Glazman as attending.
Refinery Manager Dave Podratz presented his plant update. A copy of his report is attached for those not present. He provided details on the four reportable air events the plant has experienced since the last meeting. He noted that a formal root-cause analysis for the April 10 tail gas release is being conducted and he hopes to have the results available at the next meeting. He emphasized that the excess emissions from these events reportable under the new permit are lower than the normal emissions a few months ago.
Dave also reported there was no opposition expressed at the public hearing on the crude permit
The refinery’s maintenance turnaround is underway. There are 400 contractors in the refinery currently and Dave said he expected up to 700 over the next three weeks. The turnaround is to complete maintenance and is the first one in five years. The maintenance and capital improvement projects will cost about $20 million.
Frank Giesen asked if the storage tanks held enough product to meet market demands during the turnaround. Dave said they would be able to do that but they may bring in some product to the Esko Terminal through pipeline. He also noted that two new gasoline tanks and one asphalt tank will be in service in a couple of months. One replaces the gasoline tank that burned in 2002.
Ann reviewed the annual report concept with CAP members. The CAP brainstormed the kind of outreach activities they thought might be useful. It was agreed that a new brochure be developed that would be more expansive than the current CAP pamphlet but less expansive than the annual report. This piece would provide information about the CAP, about Murphy Oil, and about CAP activities. It also was agreed that a website would be developed that would include the new brochure as well as meeting agenda and minutes. Jessa Wicklund volunteered to design the website. Ann said she would provide a draft of the brochure for CAP members at the next meeting. Also discussed was the idea of taking this information to various community activities including the Housing Authority Fair, Lake Superior Day, the Dragon Boat Races, and placing the information at strategic mall events and health fair. The brochure also would be used with speaking opportunities.
After a thorough discussion of the concept of supporting shelter-in-place outreach activities in the community, CAP members agreed to the following process:
· Carol Lindberg, a CAP member who is also a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), agreed to go to the LEPC and offer support from Murphy Oil and the CAP for a shelter-in-place outreach program.
· CAP members expressed that they did not want to be solely responsible for shelter in place but that anything they would do had to be through proper officials including the LEPC. The CAP committee would serve as a support mechanism.
· The CAP also said they would get feedback from the LEPC and put on their agenda to brainstorm the shelter-in-place project more thoroughly at the next meeting.
Communications – Dave reported the environmental law class was not able to meet but they are hoping to be able to make a presentation to that class next semester.
Emergency Preparedness – Keith Kessler said money is coming in for response support but he said he knows that money will have to eventually be paid back. He also said the First Call system has been tested.
Youth Education – Tom Strewler presented materials for the mini-grant program that will be started in the schools this next school year. He also said under the EPA grant a half-day workshop for unit design will be held shortly. The design will include what learning skills are wanted and what specific actions would teach those learning skills.
Carol asked if the college education students could be eligible for the mini-grant. It was agreed that Carol could provide information to co-op teachers; she will get that information from Tom.
There was no new business.
The next meeting will be held Thursday, June 5, 2003 at 6 p.m. at WITC. Discussion will include information about the maintenance turnaround, the CAP outreach brochure, shelter-in-place outreach, and finalization of the meeting calendar for the remainder of the year.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
WITC
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
6 p.m. – Meeting