Petition claims propane plant a danger to residents

In her cover letter to town clerk Tom Ossinger, Verilea Ellis asks that the concerns of the 219 individuals who signed the petition be considered at the next town council meeting. Ellis’ home is located near the propane plant.

Although the petition does not bear the addresses of its signors, Ellis says most of the signatures are from residents in the immediate neighborhood.

The petition says the town was negligent in allowing a propane plant to locate in a residential area.

“It’s nothing personal,” said Ellis. “We just feel the business should be in a safer place. Non of us were asked if we wanted a propane plant in our neighbourhood.”

Royal Propane is owned by Dave and Sue Bent, and has operated as a propane plant since 2005. From 2001 to 2005, propane appliances were sold and serviced from the Shore Road location, and propane tanks were exchanged on behalf of Superior Propane.

The petition refers to an explosion and fire last year at Sunrise Propane in Toronto where two people died and 12,000 were evacuated from nearby homes.

Ellis said that view of the recent and tragic explosions in Toronto, Royal Propane presents a serious threat and should be removed, possibly to the industrial park on Hwy. 217.

The petition says that the intersection where the propane plant is located is recognized as a dangerous area and during the Wharf Rat Rally, a vehicle crashed into Royal Propane’s fence, dislodging propane tanks.

Sue Bent acknowledges that an unoccupied car rolled into the fence Labour Day weekend and tanks were knocked down. She says that most people assume the propane tanks in the yard are full, but 90 per cent of them are empty.

“We refurbish used tanks,” says Bent. Royal Propane also sells propane to consumers and businesses. Customers include Canadian Tire stores and Superstores throughout western and central Nova Scotia.

In summer, Royal Propane employs 20 people, and 10 are employed during the winter.

“Some people fear propane,” says Bent. “But electricity can be dangerous. Wood fires can be dangerous. You learn how to use them safely.”

She said employees at Royal Propane are trained in working with the gas and Nova Scotia has some of the most rigid regulations in the country. The Digby business is also a member of the Propane Gas Association of Canada.

Royal Propane has operated as a plant for a relatively short time, but Bent said the Superior Propane plant in Marshalltown has been in its present location for 35 years without incident. That plant is three times the size of Royal Propane.