GCM Advisory Board member, Community In Power Development leader and Port Arthur resident Hilton Kelley is just one of many environmental activists outraged over emissions from a recent oil spill.  

After colliding with another boat in the Sabin Neches Waterway near Port Arthur, TX, a tanker spilled 462,000 gallons of crude oil into the shipping channel.  The spill is the largest in Texas in the past 15 years.  While local environmentalists commended the rapid emergency response, they are raising concerns about the toxic emissions from the spill, in which over 220,000 gallons of oil evaporated into the air.  Kelley, who is an experienced environmental monitor and Bucket Brigader, reports that he was was forced to wear a respirator to protect himself from the sickening fumes.  As cleanup wraps up, attention will turn to the long term health effects of those who were exposed to the toxic air. 

This spill serves as a reminder of the risks associated with oil refining and will motivate Port Arthur residents and Global Community Monitor to continue to push for safer and cleaner refining processes.

For more information:

Ada Evening News (1/26/2010) 222,000 gallons evaporated, dispersed in oil spill