EPA cracks down on refinery emissions

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new rules on air pollution, which require more steps to be taken by oil refiners to reduce emissions. Companies that refine oil will have to work to reduce air pollution from oil processing equipment, storage tanks and flares if the proposed rules come into force.

The proposed rules are currently undergoing a 60-day public comment period and have been designed to ensure companies are meeting with air quality standards. They also aim to introduce benzene testing at oil refineries' fence lines in order to stop emissions from affecting neighbouring communities.

To further the regulations that support the Clean Air Act - which some environmental groups have suggested the EPA has not done enough to uphold - the EPA delivered the proposed rules on Thursday (May 15th), which was the agency's deadline for a regulations review for oil refineries, after being ordered to by a federal judge. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to review regulations for companies and plants that produce fuels, in a bid to continue reducing emissions.

According to the agency, if the proposed plans are implemented, it could help to reduce toxic gas emissions - including toluene, benzene and xylene, by around 5,600 tonnes annually. This reduction would cost an estimated $40 million (£23.7 million) each year. 

The EPA's rules also aim to create new emissions standards for coking units. These units are used by oil refineries to create a substance similar to coal from heavy oil, following the process of turning crude into fuel. The agency said that these units are largely unregulated, which has a negative impact on air quality as they create a large amount of toxic emissions. 

Howard Feldman, director of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Petroleum Institute (API), said: “With this proposal, EPA adds to the list of new regulations impacting refineries that come with enormous costs but questionable environmental benefits.

“This rule is intended to evaluate what risk, if any, is posed to the public from refinery emissions. But EPA has already concluded the risks associated with refinery emissions are low and the public is protected with an ample margin of safety.”