ExxonMobil Plant Flare Rattles Neighbors – Auto Republish

McAlister noted that the incident was not weather related, and operations resumed following the flare. “We absolutely understand and apologize for the frustration that the use of our flare can cause,” he said. “We will, therefore, continue to work to reduce further occurrences.”

He also said on Tuesday the plant had returned to normal operations and was not utilizing the safety flare.

Over 380 complaints about the flare were submitted to SEPA over two days.

On Tuesday SEPA’s four remote monitoring points around the site, at Lochgelly, Auchtertool, Donibristle and Little Raith continued to capture data. Monitors continue to demonstrate no breach of air quality standards.

“Whilst it is again important to stress that limited, controlled flaring is an authorized and important safety feature of industrial sites, we’ve heard clearly from over 380 reports to SEPA of the impact this further flaring event is having on local communities,” Chris Dailly, head of environmental performance for SEPA said in a release.

“We are clear on our expectations of ExxonMobil Chemical Limited, including requiring the installation of noise reducing flare tips followed by the installation of ground flares,” Dailly said. “What we need now is for ExxonMobil to step up and recognize the depth of community anger and make real progress in making flaring the exception rather than the routine – and we will employ all available measures to ensure they do so.”

Opened in 1986, ExxonMobil’s plant in Mossmorran has a capacity of 830,000 tn/yr of ethylene and a headcount of about 170 employees, according to the company’s website.