Louisiana refineries reported 301 accidents in 2011

A new report released this morning by a collection of environmental groups says Louisiana’s 17 refineries reported an average of almost six accidents each week last year, for a total of 301 accidents in 2011. The report—which comes from Shreveport-based Residents for Air Neutralization, The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and the United Steelworkers—says Louisiana’s refineries’ self-reports indicate that in 2011 more than 1 million pounds of toxic materials were released into the air, and more than 1.3 million gallons into Louisiana’s water and soil. Those figures are up from about 950,750 pounds of air pollution in 2010, and about 389,000 pounds of water and soil pollution. However, the report also says: “These numbers are likely far lower than what is really released”; that caveat stems from the fact that refineries have a number of incentives to underreport accidents and emissions. The data are released as part of an annual report on refinery accidents. Recommendations from the report include hiring more full-time workers and increasing enforcement of regulations by government agencies, including engagement of workers and neighbors in inspections. More details from the report are available here.