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New EPA Rules Limit Refinery Emissions

fema.gov
An oil refinery in St. Bernard Parish.

The Environmental Protection Agency released new standards on Tuesday for emissions from petroleum refineries.

The EPA says the standards will cut down on CO2 emissions and prevent about 1.4 million people from being exposed to pollutants in the air, like benzene. Regularly breathing such pollutants can cause respiratory problems, increased risk of cancer and other health problems.

The agency says the new rule will result in a reduction of 5,200 tons of toxic air pollutants each year and a 15-20 percent reduction in cancer incidence associated with refinery emissions.

The stricter standards mandate air monitors around refinery fences to determine what they are releasing into nearby communities. The smoke flares that are so familiar a sight at refineries along coastal Louisiana won’t be burning as often, under the new rules. The practice of burning off excess fuel with such smokestacks will be reduced with the increased use of pressure release devices, which will be monitored.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration lists 19 refineries in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality declined to comment on the changes, saying it first had to review the 745-page rule. 

Support for WWNO's Coastal Desk comes from the Walton Family Foundation, the Kabacoff Family Foundation and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

Tegan has reported on the coast for WWNO since 2015. In this role she has covered a wide range of issues and subjects related to coastal land loss, coastal restoration, and the culture and economy of Louisiana’s coastal zone, with a focus on solutions and the human dimensions of climate change. Her reporting has been aired nationally on Planet Money, Reveal, All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Marketplace, BBC, CBC and other outlets. She’s a recipient of the Pulitzer Connected Coastlines grant, CUNY Resilience Fellowship, Metcalf Fellowship, and countless national and regional awards.

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