A flare at Valero’s Meraux, La., refinery sent black smoke into surrounding areas for several hours this morning. Via the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Tim Beckstrom said the refinery’s south flare was not burning properly and that Valero was working to reroute gases to the north flare.
The gases sent to the flair were suspected to be methane, ethane, propane, butane light hydrocarbons and hydrogen. Beckstrom said no reportable quantities had been reported as of this morning. Valero spokesman Bill Day said there had been no significant environmental impact in the surrounding community.
