Growing mounds of petroleum coke raise fears along Detroit River

[marmar]

from the Detroit Free Press:



Hulking, pitch-black mounds resembling coal have grown exponentially in the last week along the banks of the Detroit River in southwest Detroit, prompting concern about potential pollution from residents and legislators on both sides of the river.

The petroleum coke, or pet coke, mounds are a by-product of tar sands oil refining used in energy production and when mixed with coal is used as a low-cost fuel.

The piles, brought by trucks loaded with material from the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in southwest Detroit, have been growing on two sites.

........(snip)........

Canadian government agencies also have gotten involved.

"Officials at the Canadian Consulate General in Detroit have been in contact with responsible officials in the state of Michigan, and we understand that they are taking steps to address this issue that falls within their jurisdiction and which is having impacts in Canada," according to a statement from Environment Canada. ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20130313/NEWS01/303130118/Growing-mounds-of-petroleum-coke-raise-fears-along-Detroit-River

[friendly_iconoclast]

1. Petroleum coke is nasty stuff, loaded with carcinogens.