New Orleans-A proposed cold storage facility to be constructed by the Port of New Orleans is getting opposition from downtown New Orleans residents concerned over both the anhydrous ammonia to be used at the facility as well as heavy truck traffic to and from the facility. The Port told Green Markets that the refrigeration facility, which would hold 40,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, will be built with a monitoring system that will alert the operators if it detects a leak of half of an EPA reportable release. The Port said it and the terminal operator that will be running the facility both have excellent safety records handling ammonia refrigerant. The Port said this is the only site that meets its construction and operational criteria, and that the funding is coming together. It will take 18 months to construct. The local Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association says the facility is being built too close to its neighborhood as well as the French Quarter. It is just across the railroad tracks from the French Market. It also says that some 100 18 wheelers per day will have to come through the tourist area and local neighborhood as a result. A local blogger drew attention to the proposed facility by terming it “Bhopal in the making,” though he later recanted this term, saying it was part of his “drama queen tendencies.” He reiterated that it is not the project that is offensive, but the location. The new facility is reportedly necessary to aid the growing chicken export market.
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