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Lake Charles Refinery - Calcasieu Refining

Calcasieu Refining Company owns and operates one of two oil refineries in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This plant has a daily output capability of up to 30,000 barrels of crude oil.

The Lake Charles area saw a boom in its population and industries in the early 1940's. Among the key components in the economic growth of the city was the refinery which employed a large number of local residents. Jet fuel, kerosene, diesel fuel and other petroleum based products are manufactured at the facility.

Some local residents have complained that the refinery and other industrial work sites are gross polluters that have contaminated the soil and water of the local community. In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency got involved and investigated the plant while cooperating with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Calcasieu Refining was ordered to pay a penalty fine of $612,500 for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act. Plant officials were also required to upgrade their emission control equipment and to take steps to ensure that less pollution is put into the environment from the refinery.

Accusations from nearby residents and environmental groups have not been the only serious issues that have faced the Lake Charles refinery. One of the first came in the form of asbestos, a naturally occurring material that was formerly used in a several different industrial products. These products were found in many areas of this refinery because of their ability to withstand great heat, but over time they would begin to crumble apart, and miniscule particles of asbestos would escape into the air. Workers at the plant could then easily breathe in the small bits of asbestos, and once they were internal, they could do extreme damage to the respiratory system and lead to a type of cancer called mesothelioma. This is a very serious disease that can be lethal in nature, so anyone who worked at the plant while asbestos was present should be seen by their healthcare provider.

Another major setback for the plant occurred in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina caused massive flooding and damage throughout Louisiana. Calcasieu Refining lost their phone system and received damage to much of their equipment following the storm. Plant officials set forth a plan to make repairs to not only resume production, but also to continue expansion plans that had already been put in place. One of the goals of the plan is to increase the production capability of the plant to 50,000 barrels per day.

Last modified: December 09 2009.