EPA proposes rules requiring oil refineries to cut emissions, monitor toxic air pollutants

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed rules Thursday that would require oil refineries "to cut emissions and begin monitoring levels of toxic air pollutants at their fence lines with neighboring communities," Tony Barboza reports for the Los Angeles Times.

"The rules would require the nation's 150 major oil refineries to upgrade pollution controls for storage tanks and reduce emissions from flares, which burn off gases to relieve pressure during startup, shutdown or maintenance," Barboza writes. "Facilities would have to meet other requirements to reduce emissions that can cause respiratory problems, raise the risk of cancer and contribute to smog."

"The rules would for the first time require refineries to monitor and publicly report fence-line levels of benzene, a carcinogen they release into the air," Barboza writes. "The EPA proposal sets limits on concentrations of that compound, considered a marker of a variety of harmful pollutants, and requires companies to take corrective action if readings are too high."

Industry groups say that emissions have been declining for decades under existing regulations and health risks from refineries are low, Barboza writes. The American Petroleum Institute, a trade association, said in a statement that the rules come "with a high price tag but uncertain environmental benefits." (Read more)

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/05/15/227613/epa-targets-refinery-emissions.html?sp=/99/200/260/#storylink=cpy

Industry groups say that health risks from refineries are low and that emissions have been declining for decades under existing regulations.
A statement by the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association, said the rules come "with a high price tag but uncertain environmental benefits."