Dusk View of the Valero Energy Corporation’s refinery in Port Arthur, Texas
When you think about oil refineries what comes to your mind ? I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything positive. Energy and oil has to come from somewhere right ? For many people they get their oil and gasoline, and pay their power bill without giving it a second thought, but did you know many people are suffering in order for you to get these resources?
At the Valero Oil refinery West in Corpus Christi there are residents of the area who are suffering because of these refineries being situated so close to their homes.
Phillips refinery.Borger,Texas
Referenced above is a photo of homes near a refinery in Borger, Texas. I have used it as reference to show just how close residents can be to the toxic gases of refineries. Bill Greehey refinery, which was created in 1983 is where the Valero West oil refinery is located. This area is referred to as refinery row and is home to many low income and minority residents.
This area could be considered a “Sacrifice Zone.” Residents of the area have reported illnesses such asthma, migraine headaches, and cancer. It can be extremely difficult to prove any of these illnesses are a direct result of living near the refinery, but it is known that high exposure to Benzene can cause these illnesses and Benzene is present at oil refineries.
A patient with a brain tumor playing with his mother
On May 17,2023 Valero responded to a fire at the West refinery. This is just one of many fires that have been reported at this refinery. Gibbins,Brandon. Three Texas Oil and Gas industry sites that caught fire had long violation records.https://news.oilandgaswatch.org/post/three-texas-oil-gas-industry-sites-that-caught-fire-had-long-violation-records. The Valero West refinery was reported to have 732 violations since April of 2012 according to data from TCEQ. They had EPA safety violations as well as The Risk Management Program which requires the facility owners of operation to maintain all equipment with integrity.
Money is the root of all evil photo
Valero cares more about its profits than the communities it is affecting!!! Doing regular maintenance on its machines could limit fires and injures. Also, residents in the area have to deal with paying fines up to $500 per occurrence for using over their allotment of water. This is another example of how this community is being negatively impacted by the refinery. The refinery uses a lot of water, and in an area that is already suffering from shortages in water this puts more pressure on the community to limit their usages. This community is also low income so the burden is even heavier for them if accessed a fine.
Azar, Aman. In Corpus Christi’s Hillcrest Neighborhood, Black Residents Feel Like They Are Living in a “Sacrifice Zone” July 4,2021 https://insideclimatenews.org/news/04072021/corpus-christi-texas-highwayinfrastructure-justice/. Advocates are calling the highway near the refineries racist highway because most of the residents there are black. One resident spoke to the news about how she bought her home to show her kids what is was like to grow up where she grew up. Now most of the families she used to live next to have been bought out, and forced to move so that the new Harbor Bridge could be built. The new bridge needed to be built to accommodate the supersized ships entering the port with the crude oil.
We need to find a better way to create energy that is not at the expense of our people!!! We can do better!!!
Located on the North Slope of Alaska within the National Petroleum Reserve, the Willow Project, an ongoing oil drilling project, has been deemed a favorable site for new oil in the U.S.[1]. Under the construction of ConocoPhillips, the project is expected to produce roughly 576 million barrels of oil in the next 30 years, serving as a reliable source of domestic energy in the U.S.[2]. With over 200 wells distributed across 3 drilling pads and several miles of pipelines and roads, the project promises a significant production capacity [3].
Map of the Wiillow Project Development
Despite its characterization as a beneficial addition to the United States’s energy sources, the construction and production practices of the Willow Project are directly responsible for the environmental and societal injustices placed upon neighboring communities, designating this Alaskan region an energy sacrifice zone.
Environmental Impacts
Melting glacier in Alaska
Through the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, the region was specifically appointed for oil and gas development, making it a suitable location for new oil in the United States [4].Yet, the associated environmental impacts continue to strain the region. Impacts include:
Disturbances to important nesting grounds of millions of migratory birds and caribou [5]
Loss of 532 acres of wetlands, 619 acres of disturbances for polar bears, and 17,000 acres of disturbances for birds [6]
Increases in the severity of climate change due to melting sea ice, coastal erosion, and thawing permafrost [7]
Burning the oil would place roughly 239 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over 30 years [8]
Who Bears the Costs?
In terms of health and safety risks, the indigenous Nuiqsut community of Alaska experiences constant threats from the pollutants emitted from the oil drilling project including methane leaks from production equipment and pollution emitted from transportation vehicles moving materials to oil wells [9]. These pollutants have been linked to dangerous kidney, cardiovascular, and chronic respiratory conditions proving to be a serious threat to public health and safety [10]. The Nuiqsut people have reported an increase in the number of cases of respiratory illnesses caused by the increasing number of oil wells being constructed near their communities with children particularly experiencing a surge in illness caused by the close proximity of oil wells located right behind their schools [11]. Furthermore, the Nuiqsut peoples rely on the land for practices like subsistence hunting of important migratory species such as the caribou, but with the oil drilling, important wildlife species that typically occupy the territory will slowly start to disappear because of the disturbances placed on the landscapes[12].
Becoming a Sacrifice Zone
The Willow project showcases how the health and safety of the Nuiqsut people and their land have been written off as necessary for the country’s economic advancement, otherwise known as a sacrifice zone. Despite persistent pushback from the affected communities, companies like ConocoPhillips claim that drilling for new oil from Alaska is necessary to help ensure that the U.S. has a reliable domestic supply of energy to prevent and limit the country’s dependence on other oil suppliers [13]. While the Willow project is predicted to produce billions of dollars in economic activity in Alaska, the lack of participation of the Nuiqsut people in the planning of this project only further exemplifies how indigenous communities are seen as expendable to guarantee the overall advancement of the whole country. The Nuiqsut people are forced to endure the environmental hazards from the nearby toxic industrial processes and face the cultural consequences of energy production, with little promise of receiving the economic benefits discussed to justify their region’s sacrifice. Ultimately, the construction and drilling operations associated with the Willow project will produce critical environmental destruction and irreversible changes to the Nuiqsut community’s way of life showcasing how the government deemed the Alaska region an energy sacrifice zone for the economic enhancement of a select few.
PBF Energy recently acquired the 860-acre Martinez Refinery Company (MRC), which is located in the City of Martinez, about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, California. MRC has a capacity of producing 157,000 barrels per day (bpd), is fitted with dual-coking technology that processes medium and heavy crude oil, and receives a portion of crude oil by the Crimson San Pablo Bay pipeline, San Joaquin pipeline, and San Ardo & Coastal pipelines [1].
MRC is known for its high level of Nelson Complexity Index (NCI) of 16.1 which represents the types of products an oil refinery can produce. The higher the NCI number on a 1-20 scale, the more complex products a refinery can produce, hence why this site is among the largest refineries compared to other refineries in the United States [2].
MRC not only supplies a great deal of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to the general public and private clientele but also contributes to the disproportionate exposure of pollutants to its community. What once was a beautiful Alhambra Valley home to the Karkin Indians, members of the Ohlone tribe, is now a landscape marred by the stark presence of industrial infrastructure [3].
Flaring from the PBF Energy-Martinez Refinery on December 26, 2023 (CBS News).
Loss of Traditional Lands of the Karkin Indian-Ohlone People
Historically, indigenous tribes, specifically, the Karkin Indians, part of the Ohlone tribes, originally inhabited the land where Martinez, CA now stands [3]. However, in the late 1700’s – early 1800’s, the Mexican government settled in Alhambra valley, granting Spanish and Mexican settlers land grants to further develop the land into missions and towns. As more Spanish and Mexican settlers came, more indigenous people were removed from the land. By the early 1820’s there was no record of any indigenous people left in this area, even till this day, indigenous people living in Martinez, CA are almost non-existent [3]. Once the indigenous communities were removed, the idea of industrialization boomed at warp speed.
Timeline of major impactful events related to city and energy development in Martinez, CA from 1847-1940s [3]:
1847- First ferry service in the Bay Area to run across the Carquinez Strait.
1851- Martinez, CA is given a county seat.
1869- Local markets for local produce were developed.
1876- Martinez is incorporated as a city of California.
1882- Fisheries began to boom, leading to large scale coast canneries in Martinez.
1900- Santa Fe Railroad was constructed.
1913- Shipping terminals to import and distribute gasoline along the Pacific coast were built by Shell Co.
1913 to 1915- Oilfields were purchased in order to build the Martinez Refinery Co.
1915- Martinez Refinery Company was built which created a pathway for more oil refineries to boom as well.
1930- South Pacific Bridge was built to replace the ferry system that transported trains and other goods.
1930 to 1940- Commercial buildings were constructed.
Currently, local residents are exposed to flaring, coke dust, and other chemical releases from the PBF Energy-Martinez Refinery Company with there being 46 incidents over the past year [4]. In 2022, representatives from Contra Costa Health and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) listened to the residents living in close proximity to the refinery by conducting a surprise inspection [4]. Given the concerning findings from the surprise inspection and the ongoing exposure of potentially harmful emissions to local residents, it is imperative that immediate action be taken.
Environmental Impacts
MRC, like many industrial facilities, has several potential environmental impacts associated with its operations such as air pollution. The BAAQMD conducted an air quality analysis report on MRC concluding that on average the refinery emits 460.20 tons of emissions each year [5]. The refinery’s emissions travel based on wind direction, however, local residents, primarily hispanic and white households are left to deal with higher exposure levels of potentially harmful emissions they may inhale or ingest [6].
Color code of high concentrations of emissions emitted due to the PBF Energy-Martinez Refinery, light blue represents low concentrations to dark blue representing high concentrations (Dinh , T. M., Werth, A., Baird, A., & Bai, S. (2020, September 1). Modeling Fine Particulate Matter Emissions from PBF Martinez Refinery: An Air Quality Analysis Report).
Energy Colonialism
How does all this fit into energy colonialism? Energy colonialism can be recognized as the exploitation and marginalization of indigenous and minority communities in the pursuit of energy resources and infrastructure development. In the case of the PBF Energy-Martinez Refinery acquisition, energy colonialism began with the historical displacement of the Karkin Indians. Additionally, the refinery’s operations further contributed to environmental injustice by disproportionately exposing nearby communities to harmful emissions and pollution. This ongoing perpetuating cycle where economic interests prioritize industry over the well-being of marginalized groups, reflects the dynamics of energy colonialism.
Those Who Benefit
Local, state, and federal governments benefit from tax revenue generated by the refinery’s operations. This revenue can be used to fund public services, infrastructure projects, education, and healthcare, benefiting residents and communities in the area.PBF Energy and its investors benefit financially from the profitability of MRC. For example, shareholders receive dividends and potential capital appreciation, while the company can reinvest profits into business expansion, research and development, and other strategic initiatives [7].
Reid Gardner Power Station is a controversial (former) coal-fired power plant located in Moapa, Nevada on the Moapa River Reservation, home to members of the Paiute Tribe. Located on over 400 acres, the power station property is co-owned by Nevada Energy and the California Department of Water Resources and, when in operation, provided energy for thousands in its region. It went into service in 1965 and shut down permanently in 2019 [1].
Carl Burger Sr., Reid Gardner Power Station just before sunset. December 31, 2012. Available from Flickr.
Why the Controversy?
The main source of controversy lies in the fact that the Reid Gardner Power Station is only a couple hundred yards from the homes of Moapa River Reservation residents. A dangerous mixture of pollutants emerged from the plant over the decades of its operation, including soot, sulfur dioxide (SO2) as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gasses form smog. Water quality was also negatively affected. Due to these pollutants, the Paiute community has faced an increased rate of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses [2].
For years members of the Paiute Tribe were issuing complaints over Reid Gardner Power Station, citing that the poor air quality plagued not only their health but their surrounding environment. In 2005, Nevada Energy received 54 energy violation notices due to failure to control emissions at Reid Gardner. Though they were able to reduce their emissions through the use of nitrogen oxide scrubbers, this resulted in a sulfuric smell throughout the Moapa River Reservation [3].
Taking Action
In June of 2006 complaints from the Paiute Tribe were on the rise, though they weren’t addressed until 2007. Even then, the sulfuric smell was taken care of but pollution continued [4]. In 2012 the Moapa Band of Paiutes and environmental allies filed a suit in federal court against Nevada Energy due to air pollution from Reid Gardner Power Station. In this lawsuit, the Paiute Tribe revealed it was costing ratepayers more money to run the plant than they made from the coal, therefore calling for a switch to renewable energy generation [5].
By December 31, 2014, three out of four units were shut down at Reid Gardner Power Station. By March of 2017, the final unit followed. The units were finished being demolished and decommissioned by July of 2020. Decommissioning and demolition of the site included the removal of coal stockpiles, buildings, stacks, utilities, scrap materials, and structural foundations to a depth of at least 6 feet below the ground surface. This included the disposal of waste materials [6].
The Aftermath
Despite efforts to clean up the site, Reid Gardner Power Station was determined to be one of the most contaminated sites in the nation in 2022, with 12 out of 13 pollutants recognized by the EPA still present at the site. Additionally, the site is the only one in the Mountain West that was found to have coal ash dust pollutants exceeding 100 times healthy levels [7].
How Did We Get Here?
The theory of energy colonialism can explain a lot regarding the injustices that have happened to the Paiutes at the Moapa River Reservation. Since European settlers arrived they have been taking advantage of Native American resources, whether it be through trade or force. Although many scholars refer to this era in the United States as post-colonialism, its legacy is still observed daily [8].
The main example of this theory relating to Reid Gardner Power Station is the lack of support and consistent financial reparations for the Paiutes living on the reservation, despite the power plant looming over their daily livelihood. The history of exploitation has repeated itself once again, leaving Native Americans with sometimes fatal consequences while the U.S. government reaps the benefits [9].
In the case of Reid Gardner Power Station, one could argue energy colonialism manifests itself as energy exploitation. Energy exploitation describes the inexplicable link between Indigenous communities and unsustainable energy consumption. With 35% of U.S. fossil fuel sites found on Native American lands, it is undeniable that they have been targeted with a new wave of colonial exploitation [10].
The Future
Despite the closure of Reid Gardner Power Station, its consequences remain imminent on the Moapa River Reservation. In 2022 plans for battery storage at Reid Gardner were approved and a new facility is underway. This is being prioritized over cleaning up the mess that is still found surrounding the site. Despite the implications, the Paiute community was not consulted before this decision was made. Instead, the town of Moapa was consulted despite the power station being located on the reservation [11].
The story of underprivileged communities coping with the effects of energy production is at the core of the Thar Desert Coalfield Project. The rural and indigenous tribes living near the coalfields are forced to take center stage in this story. These communities, who have historically relied on the land for their livelihoods and sustenance, are now at risk of environmental risks and displacement due to the expansion of coal mining operations on their territory [1].
Dump trucks excavate silica sand from the digging floor of the open pit mine, part of the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company’s mining site under construction in Thar, Sindh, Pakistan.
The Impacts
The extremely delicate ecology of the desert region is made worse by the extraction and burning of coal, which greatly contributes to air and water pollution [3]. Furthermore, local people’ life is directly threatened by the depletion of groundwater resources resulting from mining operations, which worsens the injustice done to them [4].
Communities living near the coalfield may experience higher rates of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as other health issues due to exposure to pollutants [4]. Indigenous communities and marginalized populations, often with less political power, may bear the brunt of forced displacement or loss of access to ancestral lands due to coal mining activities [3].
Local communities in Tharparkar came together to protest the “poisonous” activities in the region associated with the Thar coal extraction project.
Who Benefits?
Historically, decisions about energy projects in Pakistan have often been made by government officials and corporate stakeholders, with limited representation from affected communities [3]. Indigenous and marginalized communities have limited say in the planning and implementation of the coalfield project, leading to decisions that prioritize economic interests over environmental and social concerns [2]. This proves a theme of environmental classism where the government and corporations cause environmental damage in underrepresented communities, so that the ones in power can benefit [2].
The Beluga Power Plant sits in Beluga, Alaska where it is remote from any homes and people that do not work at the Power Plant. So much so, you can not drive into the power plant since there is only a private airway landing. It was first commissioned in 1974 and at the time, less than 10 people lived in this part of Alaska. These 10 people are not the ones affected by the build of this power plant however, but rather the neighboring city of Tyonek which is just 8 miles south of the power plant. The city of Tyonek is home to generations of Native Americans who now face the indirect consequences of the power plant’s emissions and although indirect, these consequences range from childhood asthma to more serious and life threatening symptoms like heart disease and lowering birth rates.
[7] An approximate distance from Google Maps. Beluga Power Plant to the city of Tyonek. Chugach Electric Association, which is the parent company to the Beluga Power Plant, plans to increase the use of natural gas and CCS technology continues to be its main drive to keep sourcing coal reserves in Alaska. From the way they locate their power plants, it seems that many Native Americans are forced to either move or face the consequences of the power plants emissions. Although the Electric Association’s website boasts of their community projects that build community services for the Native Americans, it does not take away the health risks that poses above them. Under the United States Department of Energy, the plan to built the Beluga Power Plant was thought to make “Life in the village of Tyonek could be disrupted by coal development and any associated new settlement in the area. Tyonek residents may become a minority in their own region and have difficulty maintaining their preferred lifestyle. Social problems can emerge that would affect education, traditional subsistence efforts, and community beliefs and attitudes.” [1].
Alaska’s abundant natural resources has left many of their citizens with what’s called the “resource curse,” which is described as “the failure of many resource-rich countries to benefit fully from their natural resource wealth, and for governments in these countries to respond effectively to public welfare needs. While one might expect to see better development outcomes after countries discover natural resources, resource-rich countries tend to have higher rates of conflict and authoritarianism, and lower rates of economic stability and economic growth..” [6]. This is particularly true with the Native Americans in Alaska due to the proximity that many power plants companies end up locating the build out of their power plants and although Tyonek is only home to a little over 100 Natives Americans today, “About 2.1% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line..” according to the United States Census Bureau. When searching up anything about the Beluga Power Plant on this matter that greatly affects the people living in Tyonek, there is not much. The parent company of Chugach Electric Association also does not highlight any of these problems as their own to fix. Although the negative impacts on the Native Americans living in Tyonek were highlighted during the process of working out a buildout of the Beluga Power Plant, which has recently surpassed its 40 year mark in operation, the community is Tyonek has not been improved. The city’s history of resource abundance “for the past three centuries left an impact on the community of Tyonek and the natural resources in the region.” [4] . This includes the generations of Native Americans.
[1] Olsen, M., Cluett, C., Trimble, J., Brody, S., Howell, C., Leman, L., & Svendsen, G. (1979, May 1). Beluga coal field development: Social effects and management alternatives. [west side of cook inlet]. Beluga coal field development: social effects and management alternatives. [West side of Cook Inlet] (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6026397
[2] McNaughton, D. J. (1979, November 1). Air quality impacts of a coal-fired power plant in the Upper Cook Inlet of Alaska. Air quality impacts of a coal-fired power plant in the Upper Cook Inlet of Alaska (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5886858
[6] Olsen, M., Cluett, C., Trimble, J., Brody, S., Howell, C., Leman, L., & Svendsen, G. (1979, May 1). Beluga coal field development: Social effects and management alternatives. [west side of cook inlet]. Beluga coal field development: social effects and management alternatives. [West side of Cook Inlet] (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6026397
The entirety of Pipeline 3, owned and operated by Canadian energy company Enbridge, stretches from Alberta, Canada to Superior, Wisconsin for a total of 1,097 Miles. The most consistently problematic and fought against section is in the Northern half of Minnesota and will be the focus of this article. The pipeline, initially built in the 60’s, received an upgrade and reroute that started construction in 2016, beginning operation in 2021. Delivering roughly 760,000 barrels of oil a day [1] Pipeline 3 is a massive part of Enbridge’s operations.
Pipeline Construction Ahead sign along The Great River Road in Aitkin County, Minnesota. (Laura Shaull)
Environmental Issues Caused by Pipelines
Pipelines, no matter how well constructed and maintained, are not immune to breaches. Pipeline 3 has been responsible for 16 spills [2], including the largest inland spill which saw 1.7 million tons of crude oil spill into the Prairie River, a tributary of the Mississippi. Pipeline 3 has 200 river crossings, 8 state forests, and Mississippi headwaters directly in its path [3]which are all vulnerable to begin with. Construction also disturbs local ecosystems and can contribute to polluted runoff.
Treaty Violations and Climate Impacts
The pipeline runs near two native land reservations and directly through two others. The Leech Lake and Fond Du Lac Band reservations have pipeline stretching directly through them. The White Earth Reservation and the Red Lake Reservation are both within 40 miles of the pipeline at their closest points, and while that may not seem close this still violates several treaties that allow for land surrounding reservations to be used for hunting, fishing, or agriculture [4]. This pipeline is in direct violation of several treaties signed by the United States and the state of Minnesota.
This is a clear case of environmental racism exacerbated by lack of local control. Oil companies like Enbridge can worm their way into the pockets of government officials with promises of jobs and investments in local economies [5]. Even if the jobs are only temporary and often outsourced to out-of-state workers [6]. Because of the sneaky wording in treaties the government is able to greenlight projects like the Pipeline 3 reroute.
Gichi-gami Gathering to Stop Line 3, September 28th, 2019 (Fibonacci Blue)
Beyond the immediate impacts on Native communities, there are serious implications by continuing to support a dying industry that only serves to worsen our current climate crisis. The oil delivered by the pipeline amounts to approximately 50 coal fired power plants [7]. These investments could be pointed towards other more sustainable options that don’t blatantly disregard the native populations of Minnesota.
‘Man Camps’ and Violence against Native Women
Pipelines need workers to erect and maintain, and these workers need housing while on these jobs that take them far from home. Often times they rent out motels, build temporary housing, or make camps. Often referred to as ‘Man Camps’ there is a direct link between these construction camps and an increase in violence against native women [8]. Pipeline 3 is no exception as no less than 4 men who worked for Enbridge where arrested for crimes involving sex trafficking in 2021[9]. This link has been long observed and continues the trend of ignoring native voices that is so prominent in the oil industry.
Increased sexual violence is not the only risk factor brought about by these ‘Man Camps’, in 2021 nearly 800 Enbridge pipeline workers tested positive for COVID-19 [10]. This was a concern raised by native and non-native people in the area and once again was ignored. At the time local Minnesotans where instructed to reduce travel and social gatherings where prohibited [11], yet Enbridge was allowed to ship in nearly 4,000 workers to live in tight quarters.
Deaf Ears and Action
Environmental and Native activists calls to the Minnesota government ultimately fell on deaf ears as the reroute/upgrade is currently up and running. This devastating end result does not mean the fight is over. There are other pipelines being built and there is still hope to shut down currently running ones. Groups like Honor the Earth and Water Protectors are still on the front lines of the fight for energy justice.
[1] Nace, A., & Hassanzadeh, E. (2023, May 3). Line 3 oil pipeline: A look at what’s happened since the pipeline started operating in Northern Minnesota. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/line-3-oil-pipeline/
Refineries in Louisiana are among the top sources of water pollution in the United States according to the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), the report found. The EIP also listed several Louisiana facilities as the worst offenders in its report titled “Oil Spills in the Wild” [1]. Among them is my PGE site, Baton Rouge Refinery, an oil refinery located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. The refinery refines petroleum, manufactures products, and markets them. It is operated by ExxonMobil, a global oil and energy company. In April 1909, the first year of operation, the Standard Oil Company of Louisiana was licensed, and by November 1909 the refinery had processed its first product [2]. The refinery produced a variety of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, and chemical products.
Firefighting at a storage tank multiple fire in Baton Rouge, 1989.
Role of the refinery
Refineries also play an important role in the local economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy. At the same time, however, they also raise environmental and health concerns. Air and water pollution and accident risks are major concerns and have been criticized by local communities and environmental groups. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2021 the Baton Rouge refinery was listed as one of the top 10 water polluters due to the heavy metal selenium [1]. Selenium is known to be harmful to ecosystems and aquatic life.
Multiple Storage Tank Fires
On December 24, 1989, an explosion at an Exxon refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A., caused a fire that spread to 16 oil tanks[4]. The accident occurred at Exxon Corp’s Baton Rouge Refinery, located on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The accident was caused by thermal expansion of an 8-inch diameter high-pressure pipe that broke, resulting in a vapor cloud explosion that spread the fire. Two workers were killed in the explosion. No one was injured as a result of firefighting efforts.
Sacrifice Zone
The area is known primarily for its black communities. Areas where air pollution is a problem, such as petrochemical plants and refineries, often have a high concentration of low-income black residents. This is due to past racism and social inequalities in urban planning and housing policies. In fact, the percentage of Black or African American (non-Hispanic) residents in Baton Rouge is 53.2% [3]. This is a geographic pattern of residence shaped by the historical racist policies of the United States. In addition, the oil refining industry has a significant impact on the economy of the Baton Rouge area. This means that the local economy can be significantly affected by fluctuations in oil prices and demand. However, if global demand for oil were to decline, the Baton Rouge area economy could collapse. In today’s world, oil is a very important source of energy. Petroleum is widely used in a variety of sectors and accounts for a large portion of the world’s energy needs. However, due to the environmental impacts and risks associated with the use of oil, there has been a recent shift to renewable energy sources. In the future, technological advances and policy changes may lead to a society that does not use oil. While it will take time to completely phase out the use of petroleum, the demand for petroleum can always be expected to decrease in the future.
The Future
These issues will require ExxonMobil, local government agencies, and communities to work together. A focus on safety, environmental protection, and sustainability will play an important role in the operation of the Baton Rouge Refinery. In fact, ExxonMobil, which operates the Baton Rouge Refinery, takes its environmental responsibility and energy use reduction seriously. It operates in a manner that meets the balanced environmental and economic needs of the community, and in 2022, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality honored the Baton Rouge Refinery with an Environmental Leadership Award for its hazardous waste reduction and recycling achievements[2].
The Barro Blanco dam is located in a rural area in Panama. This dam is also built in close proximity to the homes of the Ngӓbe-Buglé indigenous peoples of Panama. This dam is hydroelectric and hydro-powered and is built to provide electricity throughout cities in Panama. The project was projected to cost $80 million [1]. The benefit of the dam is that it was projected to cut carbon dioxide production by 1.5 million tons in two decades according to the UN [5]. Since the project is cutting tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and providing electricity, it is being portrayed in a positive light by the western world. Since most carbon emissions are produced by white western northern countries, the people who are less responsible, in this case the indigenous Ngäbe people, are left to endure the consequences since they were not the ones who produced the CO2 emissions.
Photo of a Hydroelectric Dam
Human Impact
The benefits of the Barro Blanco Dam in Panama is the service of electricity that is provides to the cities of Panama. The main environmental and human health impacts of this site is the disruption to the Ngӓbe-Buglé indigenous peoples lands and the ecological effects. There are costs to building the Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Dam, but mostly the people who are the bearers of this cost are the indigenous Ngäbe families that are living close to the site.
Indigenous Rights
The dam has caused flooding and displacement of families. The lack of communication that the investors had with the Ngäbe people caused a fight against the project from the Ngäbe people. The dam affects the relocation of religious and historical sites to that are historically significant to the Ngäbe people. Some floodings caused the Ngäbe people to lose a important ritual site that is on a rock that is now underwater. The dam was designed to benefit the country of Panama by minimizing the impact of the Tabasara river and never leaving any parts dry. The dam is costly to the Ngäbe people because it converts the Tabasara River, a source of water and food for the Ngäbe, into a stagnant lake ecosystem that no longer serves as meaningful resources. This affects the well being of the animals, like fish, that live surrounding the Rabasara River.
Project Investment
The CDM helped support this carbon offsetting project, but fails to make sure that it doesn’t violate human rights [4]. Two European banks invested in this project, therefore being supported by National interest.The project developer is Generadora del Istmo S. A. (GENISA) [3], a Panamanian special purpose company created specifically for this project and is invested by two European banks and one Central American bank [2]. GENISA company has control over the key decision making for this project. The German and Neatherland bank that invested into this project commonly invests in developing countries, like Panama[4]. The cost of this dam goes to the communities that live next to this dam because underneath the dam is rotting organic matter. In the soil they flood releases methane, a gas that warms the planet many times more powerfully than carbon dioxide. This is even more an issue due to the rainforest climate that Panama is in. If the locals had control over the dam, there would be a more knowledgeable decision making process and the Panamanian economy would be more sustainable. It is important to highlight this site because for future projects around the world, we can see the negative impacts that large scale projects can affect the people and environment around it.
Indigenous Girl Photographed
This site is an energy sacrifice zone, because of how the Ngäbe people have been treated. From not being part of the decision making to being displaced from their environment, is the reason why it is a sacrifice zone. Two theories, “resource curse” and the “Dutch disease” can be applied to the situation at the Panamanian Dam. The “Dutch disease” can happen when a country only focuses on the resources that they have a lot of and they don’t diversify their economy. The “resource curse” happens when a country with a rich natural resource causes poverty, inequality, and deprivation for the people living in that country and it benefits financially the people who are extracting it. Governments that corrupt and patronize a resource will cause a resource curse. Lack of local control of the resource can also cause a resource curse.
The chosen site for this project is the O’Shaughnessy Dam, which is built in the Hetch Hetchy Valley, in California. This energy site provides water and electricity to the residents of San Francisco. This dam is the first of it’s kind as it is constructed within a National Park, famously known as Yosemite National Park.
This picture is of a similar dam in the mountains, as there was no pictures available of the O’Shaughnessy Dam itself.
What was the purpose of the Dam?
The city of San Francisco had been facing freshwater shortages and supplies, and ever since then, they had been eyeing the Hetch Hetchy Valley. Numerous permits to dam the valley were denied. Damming the valley was seen as a cheap alternative with less to no resistance, as the city officials wouldn’t have to hassle with private water right permits, if they had chosen other alternatives. After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, the city officials were adamant to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley. The earthquake had caused massive fires and most of the water pipes got damaged, leading the city with water shortages. This event favored the idea of getting a reliable source of water, in terms of water security. The city ended up getting the permit to dam the valley. This goes to show the power and influence of policy makers, which is an example of energy classism.
Some of the features of the Dam include:
It stands 312 feet above the streambed and extends 910 feet in a gentle arch from canyon wall to canyon wall.
The reservoir can hold up to 117 billion gallons of water.
It is 8 miles long and has a maximum depth of 306 feet.
The main water source is from the snowmelt, which runs off the main Tuolomne River.
There are numerous waterfalls that also feed the Dam.
Who is affected at the site of injustice?
The Native Indian tribes are the marginalized people at this site of injustice. They were involved as they lived in the area and were some of the first people to call the valley their home, as they depended on the valley’s resources. Hetch Hetchy is the ancient homeland of nearly a dozen Indigenous peoples, including Sierra Miwok, Yokuts, Washoe, Western Mono, and Paiute [1].
What are some of the Environmental and Human Impacts?
Some of the environmental problems associated with the site is the dam itself which changed the structure of the valley and the unmatched abundance of resource extraction. From the construction of the dam, there was a whirlpool of environmental and human impacts. This can also be classified as environmental racism. Some of the environmental impacts would be, interference with the irrigation of crops in the San Joaquin Valley, local businesses impacted, destruction of the rich biodiversity of species living there [2]. In the bigger picture, the dam ultimately changed the whole environment, as the valley now looks so much different than what it used to look like.
Hetch Hetchy Valley in the 21st century.
The human impact would be the already suppressed Native American tribes that lived in the area and depended on the valley’s resources. There is an unseen loss of generation old traditions, sacred sites, and way of living, for the people living in the area [3]. The lifestyle of first inhabitants depended on the natural resources of the land. They would gather seeds and plants, hunt, and trade. Meadow plants were particularly valuable resources to these tribes. With the construction of the dam, all these services were destroyed. The native tribes are stripped off their own resources which they have depended on for generations and are compelled to move.
A picture of how the Hetch Hetchy valley used to look like before the construction of the Dam.
Who is benefitting from the dam and what are the costs of it?
The people benefitting from the energy site are the residents of San Francisco. The dam provides all year-round water and electricity supply to the residents [4]. For securing a water supply for a growing city, an entire valley was dammed, in which there wasn’t any consideration of the unique species that lived there and the already displaced native Indian tribes. This clearly falls in a “sacrifice zone”, where rare species and native Indian tribes were exterminated and displaced further.
The costs of the dam existing is already making positive impacts on the lives of San Francisco residents but has also had negative impacts on the lives of the people who inhabited the valley thousands of years ago. The people that lived there and the species that called the valley their home were not protected as securing water supply for a growing population was the ultimate goal [5].
[4] Righter, Robert W., The Battle Over Hetch Hetchy: America’s Most Controversial Dam and the Birth of Modern Environmentalism (New York, 2005; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 Sept. 2007, chapter 9, accessed 18 Apr.2024. https://doiorg.jpllnet.sfsu.edu/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195149470.001.0001
pgeproject.wordpress.com 