For some, it was better late than never. For others, it was what took you so long?

Attendees of the TEPPCO public meeting packed St. John’s Catholic Church in Port Acres Tuesday night, all seeking information.

TEPPCO is a pipeline company that plans to build a tank farm and lay pipe in Port Acres as part of an agreement with Motiva Enterprises to build a 5.4 million barrel refined products terminal.

More than half of the audience consisted of job seekers for the project and/or contractors. The rest of the attendees had questions about the project’s safety.

Many were concerned about the scarcity of entrances and exits the company’s trucks will take on the project. Others were concerned with emissions and warning systems. And still others were curious where they could locate Material Safety Data Sheets, MSDS, of the products handled and more detailed maps of the pipeline and storage facility.

Most of the audience, however, wanted to know why this was the first meeting they heard about the project, weeks later after it started. Some questioned the validity of the meeting since everything has begun and the project is a “done deal.”

Councilmember John Beard thanked TEPPCO for attending the meeting even though he thought they were late getting around to it.

“The land is theirs to see fit,” Beard explained to the audience. “The city has no control. The construction permits do not come to the city, but they must apply for the pipeline. That’s when we requested a public meeting. They were late and it was set up with a lot of work from the council.

“On July 28, (2007) another company’s tank farm had a release that affected the west side of town and other parts. Harmful emissions were released that can damage the lungs. What are y’all going to do to prevent it? The citizens knew before they (the company) did. What actions are you going to take to protect the citizens?”

Company officials replied they will install gauging systems, combustible gas alarms, flame detectors and other devices for safety. They also have emergency response agreements with the Port Arthur Fire Department and other refinery fire departments along with integrated response plans. Also, their employees are trained in emergency response.

Another area of concern for Beard was the establishment of fenceline monitors for emissions and asked the company to come back and explain their plans for them in detail.

The company further said MSDS will be available on the city’s Web site, establishing a notification system broadcasted over the air on The Breeze FM radio station and the company gave as an example its facility in Beaumont for the last 50 years without an incident. They added they would like to establish a long-term partnership with Port Arthur.

Abid Yousef, TEPPCO vice president for procurement, said they are looking for 18 full-time positions — operators and technicians — in addition to contractors. He added several systems are under construction and in need of contractors for “a fair amount of work.”

Employees will work two 12-hour shifts and salaries will range from $20 to $22 an hour.

Yousef also said the company gets involved in all aspects of the communities they’re in such as mentoring small, local businesses. Operator training is scheduled to begin in July or August at their facilities in Beaumont and Baytown.