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Ammonia 4-7

4-7 What is the volume of ammonia to be stored? What is the concentration level of the ammonia? What are the security plans and evacuation plans and procedures?

40,000 gallons of 19% aqueous ammonia will be stored in a single storage tank.

The project itself will be secured by razor wire fencing, a closed caption security camera system and 24/7 security personnel staffing.

An ammonia leak detection system will be installed that includes multiple monitors located at the perimeter of the storage tank containment area.  If ammonia is detected, a common alarm signal will be triggered in the control system and will initiate an audible alarm (horn) and a red halogen strobe (beacon) located on top of the storage tank to notify plant personnel.

Since the ammonia to be used is 19% by weight, aqueous ammonia with a low release rate, security plans and evacuation plans are not required.  This is the same type of system that Ocean State Power (“OSP”) uses.

The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) only requires a Risk Management Plan for the storage of aqueous ammonia when the concentration is 20% or greater, because it does not consider aqueous ammonia stored at a concentration less than 20% to pose a public health risk upon release.  Although the storage of aqueous ammonia at the CREC will not pose a threat to public health, Invenergy will work with local emergency response personnel to implement an emergency response procedure that is appropriate for the types of incidents that could potentially occur at the facility.