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1 person is interested
Put data into action for clean air as our Petrochemical Accident Researcher!
ORGANIZATION: Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Please visit the new page to apply.
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1 person is interested
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade (LABB) an environmental health and justice organization, is looking for potential interns with excellent research skills, and an eye for detail to conduct research for our Refinery Efficiency Initiative, a program aimed at preventing accidents at Louisiana’s oil refineries and empowering communities living near these facilities. This initiative has produced the first comprehensive database of the state’s oil refinery accidents and is used by communities affected by petrochemical pollution all over the state to inform them on the environmental quality in their communities and to empower them with knowledge to take action against industrial pollution.
The Petrochemical Accident Research Intern will abstract oil refinery accident reports submitted to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and enter them into LABB’s online database. Duties may also include assisting with data analysis for reports, presentations, community meetings and media releases, developing ways to present data to the public and database maintenance tasks.
Great experience for those interested in environmental studies, law, public health, disaster preparedness, science and engineering. Put data into action!
Special Skills/Qualifications Needed: Excellent research skills, attention to detail, ability to follow a research protocol, basic computer skills. If possible, please provide own laptop to work on at LABB office. This position requires a minimum commitment of 12 weeks for 10 hours per week. This position is unpaid, but may be used for volunteer credit, independent research course credit or a culminating experience.
Duties/Final project:
The Petrochemical Accident Research Intern will assist in researching and analyzing data for projects and publications. Not only will the PAR intern assist the Refinery Efficiency Initiative team with our annual refinery accident report; they will submit a final project as well. Final projects will be outlined based on the individual’s field of study, interests, and LABB research goals. Previous projects include community presentations on petrochemical pollution and health effects among children, another focused on the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster known as the BP spill, and other projects have examined drinking water quality concerns and the divestment movement in regards to global warming.
More opportunities with Louisiana Bucket Brigade
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About Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Location:
4226 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119, US
Mission Statement
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade is an environmental health and justice organization supporting communities' use of grassroots action to become informed, sustainable neighborhoods free from industrial pollution.
Description
The EPA-approved "bucket" is a simple, community friendly tool that fenceline neighbors use to take air samples. Our purpose is to assist fenceline neighbors in their campaigns to make industry accountable for its pollution. We complement the community group by adding a level of technical expertise to their work. We provide this tool and training to community members to monitor and expose industrial pollution as it happens. The more evidence the communities gather, the more power they have to attain their goals.
Taking air samples is a powerful experience for community members who are used to being ignored, overlooked, and disrespected by corporations and government. Dorothy Jenkins, President of Concerned Citizens of New Sarpy, used to call the refinery to complain about the odors. A low ranking operator would tell her not to worry, that the black plume of smoke that billowed for hours near her home was not harmful. Now Mrs. Jenkins has a bucket. When refinery managers and government regulators tell her that there is nothing to worry about, she answers, "Why, then, was there a benzene reading of 14 in my air sample, a reading that violates the state standards?" The bucket gives community members power to hold institutions accountable to provide a safe and healthy environment.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
4226 Canal St.New Orleans, LA 70119
DATE POSTED
October 28, 2014
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
N/A