Neighborhood Association informs Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc. of Intent to Sue for Violations of the Clean Air Act at its Meraux Refinery (July 3, 2008)

Concerned Citizens Around Murphy (CCAM) put Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc. on notice of its intent to sue over the refinery's violations of the Clean Air Act. The Murphy Oil's Meraux refinery has released many tons of SO2 and other chemicals into the neighborhoods' air in excess of federal permit limits.

St Bernard Parish residents are concerned about the safety and public health effects of these releases of toxic emissions and CCAM members seek enforcement of environmental regulations to improve the air quality in their community. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality or the Environmental Protection Agency may elect to enforce these Clean Air Act violations. If neither take enforcement actions during the 60-day notice period, the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, on behalf of CCAM, will file the law suit against Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc. for these Clean Air Act violations.

CCAM is a neighborhood association formed in the aftermath of Murphy Oil's Hurricane Katrina crude oil spill. The neighborhood around Murphy is particularly more vulnerable to further refinery incidents due to recent zoning changes within the oil spill settlement agreement's buffer zone, which is allowing refinery encroachment into the neighborhood.

Murphy Oil's large industrial business looms over this small residential neighborhood, so the insistence that the refinery simply comply with their air permits will have an immediate and significant improvement on the quality of life in this peaceful community.

Following CCAM's formation, it requested more comprehensive dialogue with the Meraux refinery operators and residents participated in discussions and attended several meetings with refinery officials. Last fall neighbors were assured Murphy would implement a flaring reduction and reliability program in the neighborhood.

While disappointed and frustrated by the lack of results and discouraged with the ambiguous communications from Murphy, CCAM hopes to resolve this situation in an amicable matter. As a last resort, the residents' advocacy group will pursue this citizen's enforcement of the refinery's permit violations through federal court.

"Not to be defined by a disaster but rather how we have come together during our lives of this time, we restored our homes and revitalized our community; rebuilding stronger, safer and smarter. So too, heavy industry(s) that returned to do business in St Bernard Parish are expected to make the proper repairs, rebuild and perform on a safer and more responsible level", explains Suzanne Kneale, one of CCAM's founding officers.