Environmental Toxins: EPA Suggests New Refinery Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed expanding pollution controls on aging oil refineries. This would force companies to install emission-reduction equipment if they build or expand a facility. The EPA's suggested changes could cost the industry about $54 million a year, but would reduce emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. These compounds are precursors of acid rain and smog.

EPA proposes new refinery emission rules

The new standards would place emissions limits on fluid catalytic cracking units, fluid coking units, fluid coking units, delayed cooking units, process heaters, and other fuel gas combustion devices. The new guidelines also would include workplace practices. Refineries also would be required to conduct a root-cause analysis if they produce more than 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide.