LEPC Minutes 9.14.2022September 14, 2022, at 11:00am
New Hanover County EOC (ln-Person)
Attendance
Welcome and lntroductions - The meeting called to order by Teresa Smith, LEPC Chair, at 11:03 A.M
Review and Approval of Minutes - Teresa had made some corrections to Tina Kuhr's draft. Chris Smith
moved to accept the minutes as corrected; Stan Hart seconded. The minutes were approved.
Membership Announcements:
. There were several new members attending today.
. Pender County will be forming their own LEPC in 2023 due to growth in the number of companies
doing Tier 2 reporting. Pender County will still work together with NHC on projects, drills, etc.. Global Nuclear Fuel had their Nuclear Regulatory Commission Emergency Preparedness program
inspection in July and is awaiting the inspection report.
. Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will be doing an exercise next year, working with the NHC LEPC.. New Hanover County received a Tier 2 Competitive Grant for $15K, and an addition 52K for Tier 2
Non-competitive Grant. The LEPC received positive feedback on Cape Fear Emergency Preparedness
Matt Allen American Red Cross Holden Shepard Cape Fear Pu blic Utility
Authority
Chris Drimmel Acme Smoked Fish Lt. Chris L. Smith New Hanover County Sheriff's
Office
Co rn ang John B. SmithKyle Earley American Red Cross
Benjamin Harrell Kinder Morgan, South
Wilmington Pipeline Teresa 5m ith NHC Emergency Management,
LEPC Chair
Stan Harts Alcami Corporation Ron Sta ncil Sturdy Corporatio n
Billy Howard NHRMC Emergency Medical
Services John Stephenson City of Wilmington Fire
Depa rtment
Tina Kuhr GE H itach i, LE PC Secretary Sa rah Taylor Pender County Emergency
Management, LEPC Vice-Chair
Rho nda Olson UNC Wilmington Michael Thompson American Red Cross
Jodie Ruskin UNC Wilmington Brenda U pch u rch Sturdy Corpo ration
Robert Sam pso n
Scotland County Public
Safety Director (Guest
Speaker)
Linda Willis NC Dept of Natural Resources
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tOCAt EMERGENCY
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Nam€e t:BustneS
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Conference, including requests to do another one. The Wilmington Convention Center was an easy
location with which to work. Teresa informed the committee that Federal Grants cannot be used to
buy food for meetings, but state funding can be used for food. She solicited participation for
Planning Committee for the next conference and suggestions for a guest speaker.
LEPC Officer Elections for 2023 - Email Tina Kuhr with nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
for 2023. The vote needs to take place before the November meeting.
Presentation: Gas Leak and Local lndustry/Lessons Learned, Robert Sampson, Director, Scotland
County Emergency Services
The NSG Pilkington Group (NSG = Nippon Sheet Glass, a Japanese company) facility in Laurinburg is
largest manufacturer in Scotland County. lt was built in 1974. There are two sources of fuel for the
furnaces: coaland naturalgas. ln the mid to 90's, the facility switched to 100% natural gas. The plant is
the largest user of natural gas in North Carolina. They receive a large quantity of chemical and raw
materials by rail and truck, including some of the most hazardous chemicals (e.g., HF). lt is the largest
flat glass manufacturer in the WORLD. Robert provided a history of company and some examples of
where their glass is used. The plan currently employs 325. Float l was built in 1973 and was last rebuilt
in 2007. The next rebuild is scheduled for 2023. Float 2 was built in 1980 rebuilt in 2021.
The gas leak event began on April 4,2O22, and lasted until April 8. An employee smelled the gas leak,
which started an investigation. They found that a %" sample line off the main 10" gas line (60 psi) for
LB1 main furnace failed. The gas leak was 50 feet from the opening of the furnace which has open
flames. The glassmaking process is such that it would take four weeks to shut down and cool off furnace
NSG attempted to contain gas leak on April 5 by fabricating a temporary sealto contain leak. They
contacted Piedmont Natural Gas (PNG) for support. Since the leak was inside the facility, it was not
Piedmont's responsibility. NSG was measuring the natural gas concentrations levels. They measured
12%, which was above lower limit for combustibility. NSG discussed evacuating plant but did not. They
did reduce the number of people in the plant to the minimum needed to keep the process running.
NSG worked on putting temporary seal in place and adding additionalventilation. PNG did dispatch their
expert team, which confirmed NSG'5 readings. After the temporary sealwas put in place, the
concentration levels decreased to 3% to 7%.
At 7 PM on April 5, PNG instructed the local Fire Department (FD) to come to site. The FD arrived on site
and deemed that there was no cause to act. Scotland County Emergency Management (EM) was called
on April 6. PNG was taking gas concentration reading, and they did not exceed actionable limits. PNG
had no jurisdiction inside the building but wanted the fire chief to order the gas shut off. NSG stated
that if they do so, both furnaces will collapse and start a major fire that will burn down the entire plant.
They were looking to the EM Director to make the decision. He could not, because he did not have
jurisdiction on private property. The County EM Director called the NC EM Area Coordinator, who in turn
called the NC EM Central Branch Manager, NC EM discussed what legal authority EM had in this
situation.
The plant continuing working on plans for repair. They wrapped the pipes, broke open windows, and
took off siding to release gas from building. This further reduced the gas levels to less than 2o/o by 72
hours into the event.
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The colt Group from Wilmington, Nc, who specializes in high pressure leak repair, was brought in and
arrived on site on April 6. They were able to make the repair with a special clamp while the gas still
flowing. PNG stayed on site for 24 hours taking periodic readings.
NSG continues to make periodic checks of the seal. They have since checked other lines for wall thinning
and leaks. The event ended well but had the potential for it to have ended badly.
Adjournment - Linda Willis made the motion to adjourn; Chris Drimmel seconded. The meeting was
ad.journed at 12:57 PM.
Next LEPC Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for November 9,2022, in-person at the NHC EOC.
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