Polluter of the Week, a few words about the scary smoke in Sweeny

Firestone Polymers LLC, a synethetic rubber plant in Orange, TX., is named our Polluter of the Week for the $27,875 penalty it was assessed by the state environmental agency. [link]

They did a bunch of illegal stuff, including:

failing to complete initial compliance testing for Flare M-600R within 180 days of the initial startup; 30 TAC §113.260 and §122.143(4), 40 CFR §63.504(a)(4), FOP Number O-1271, General Terms and Conditions and SC 1D, and TSHC, §382.085(b), by failing to notify the Administrator of the intent to conduct a performance test at least 30 days before scheduling a performance test; 30 TAC §113.260 and §122.143(4), 40 CFR §63.496(G) and §63.504(a)(5), FOP Number O-1271, General Terms and Conditions and SC 1D, and THSC, §382.085(b), by failing to re-determine compliance of the RTO; 30 TAC §116.115(c) and §122.143(4), FOP Number O-1271, General Terms and Conditions and SC 10A, Air Permit Number 292, SC 14, and THSC, §382.085(b), by failing to establish the pattern and quantities of air contaminants into the atmosphere; and 30 TAC §113.260 and §122.143(4), 40 CFR §63.496(d) and §63.504(a)(5), FOP Number O-1271, General Terms and Conditions and SC 1D, and THSC, §382.085(b), by failing to re-determine compliance of Flare DM-801...

Also, if you were wondering what all the smoke emanating from the ConocoPhillips refinery in Sweeny was all about the other day, (unlikely, we realize, if you don't live in that paradise) you'll be relieved to learn that no one was injured or killed. 'Twas merely a case of "Operations and Instrument pesonnel (sic) were in the process of trying to repair ES 2301. as Board Operator put on the instrument in manual mode and entered a 1% output on controller, it went 100% open. Low air flow caused the charge control valve to close. To prevent the Regenerator temperature from dropping too low, Torch Oil was added. The introduction of Torch Oil results in incomplete combustion within the Regenerator, and creates carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a flammable gas which presents an ignition danger as it enters the electrostatic precipitator. It is for this reason that the electrostatic precipitator is de-energized. Without the precipitator functioning normally, excess opacity results."

"Excess opacity" means smoke.