Peters: Is Petcoke Storage Near Detroit River Is Safe?

DETROIT (WWJ) - As giant piles of Petroleum Coke or petcoke, the by-product of Canadian tar sand oil, continue to grow along the Detroit River - Congressman Gary Peters is pushing for further studies to confirm the chemical piles are safe.

WWJ Newsradio's Pat Sweeting reports that Peters is adding his voice to that of Detroit's southwest residents, business owners as well as local and national lawmakers who want something done about the growing petcoke piles near W. Jefferson and 14th Street.

"Certainly, it's time to be asking some very serious questions about the activity that is occurring here," said Peters. "Last week I attempted to get an amendment on the keystone pipeline legislation and to make sure we have health studies related to petcoke. This is basically a by-product of the refining of the heavy oil-tar sands which is coming from Alberta."

Peters also raised the issue of permits and questioning whether the required permits were granted before the petcoke storage began.