Proposed New Refinery on North Dakota Tribal Lands Raises Concerns:
Environmentalist warns Makoti residents of health risks of refineries
By JILL SCHRAMM
jschramm@ndweb.com
Staff Writer
Minot Daily News - Minot, North Dakota
July 15, 2004
MAKOTI Refineries, by the nature of their business, are heavy polluters, says Denny Larson, national coordinator for Global Community Monitor and Refinery Reform.
At a meeting in Makoti Sunday, Larson told Makoti residents who argued for the economic benefits of a proposed refinery near town that they need to weigh those benefits against the inevitable health risks.
"That particular industrial sector, compared to other sectors, is the dirtiest, most dangerous sector because it's inherent in what they do. There are certain things you can't change about the process," he said. "You can't change it unless you put a bubble over and under it. That's nobody who's been able to build a refinery in Europe or elsewhere that's been able to get around that."
Refinery project manager Horace Pipe of Makoti, who attended the meeting, said afterwards that the refinery will be built with safety features to address many of the concerns about spills and leaks.
"It's going to be as safe as we can make it," he said.
There was some interest at the meeting about the environmental record at the refinery in Mandan, but Pipe said there is no comparison between that refinery and the one proposed for Makoti. The technology will be so much more advanced with the new plant, he said.
Specifics about pollution levels from the MHA Nation Clean Fuels Refinery wontĄt be known until a draft environmental impact statement is completed, possibly later this summer.
Larson presented information on how pollution happens at refineries and highlighted health hazards that have occurred in other parts of the country.
A Montana native now living in California, Larson said California has the country's toughest regulations for refineries and many refineries have been upgraded to state of the art, but there still have been problems.
Some people at the meeting questioned whether refinery pollution is any worse than existing pollution from farm chemicals.
"You have already got a certain level of pollution. The consideration is, do you want to add one more thing, even if it's the cleanest possible refinery that can be built," Larson responded. "You have to make up your mind whether you think it's a good thing or not."
Jodi White of White Shield, spokesperson for the Environmental Awareness Committee of the Fort Berthold area, said the committee invited Larson to provide information that refinery developers aren't talking about.
"Everyone can do an investigation on their own and not necessarily have to take our word for it. We are just trying to make this available so you can make your own conclusions," she said.
Some residents at the meeting defended the proposed refinery as economic development.
"They are building this refinery to get employment. Why do we need somebody that's fighting it?" one resident asked.
Makoti Mayor Lori Ostrem said after the meeting that it is important to get information on the environmental aspects of refineries.
"Our stance is still that we are for economic development. that's been our stance all along, but we are certainly concerned and we are here to learn," she said.
The refinery is expected to create 65 jobs, although there will be a larger number of jobs created during construction. Pipe said the multiplier effect of the 65 jobs will bring total new employment to around 200.
"If that isn't economic development, I don't know what is," he said.
Larson said the Three Affiliated Tribes has many ideas for creating jobs, of which the refinery is just one.
"No one is against the jobs, but we want you to be aware," he said.
Larson encouraged people to stay alert as the project moves forward.
"Beware of studies and assurances that don't compute with common sense," he said. "If somebody is promising you something that's too good, that doesn't compare with what's happening at other refineries around the country, a red flag should go up. You are not getting all the facts."
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