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LEPC Minutes 9.21.20221 September 14, 2022, at 11:00am New Hanover County EOC (In-Person) Attendance Name Business Name Business Matt Allen American Red Cross Holden Shepard Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Chris Drimmel Acme Smoked Fish Lt. Chris L. Smith New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Kyle Earley Corning John B. Smith American Red Cross Benjamin Harrell Kinder Morgan, South Wilmington Pipeline Teresa Smith NHC Emergency Management, LEPC Chair Stan Harts Alcami Corporation Ron Stancil Sturdy Corporation Billy Howard NHRMC Emergency Medical Services John Stephenson City of Wilmington Fire Department Tina Kuhr GE Hitachi, LEPC Secretary Sarah Taylor Pender County Emergency Management, LEPC Vice-Chair Rhonda Olson UNC Wilmington Michael Thompson American Red Cross Jodie Ruskin UNC Wilmington Brenda Upchurch Sturdy Corporation Robert Sampson Scotland County Public Safety Director (Guest Speaker) Linda Willis NC Dept of Natural Resources Welcome and Introductions – 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 $2K for Tier 2 Non-competitive Grant. The LEPC received positive feedback on Cape Fear Emergency Preparedness 2 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 Industry/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. It was built in 1974. There are two sources of fuel for the furnaces: coal and natural gas. In 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). It 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 1 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, 2022, and lasted until April 8. An employee smelled the gas leak, which started an investigation. They found that a ¾” 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 seal to 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 additional ventilation. PNG did dispatch their expert team, which confirmed NSG’s readings. After the temporary seal was 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 2% by 72 hours into the event. 3 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 adjourned at 12:57 PM. Next LEPC Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for November 9,2022, in-person at the NHC EOC.