29-09-2015

EPA’s refinery rule is much improved but remains costly

EPA has made substantial improvements in the final refinery sector rule over the proposal, but EPA’s new regulations on refineries could still cost up to $1 billion, according to API Downstream Group Director Bob Greco.

“EPA analyses, supported by extensive industry monitoring data, show that air emissions from refineries are already at safe levels,” Greco said. “The refinery industry has proven we can provide reliable American energy while protecting the environment and local communities, and collaborative efforts by API and the EPA led to final regulations that are more cost-effective than the proposal.”

Refineries have been reducing emissions for decades under voluntary programs and in compliance with existing regulations. Through comments made during the rulemaking process, API identified and supported practical, cost-effective opportunities to even further reduce emissions in a manner that recognizes the complexity of the industry, which EPA took into account.

“Despite these improvements, regulators need to be thoughtful about the additional impacts of new regulations and added costs to delivering affordable energy to U.S. consumers,” said Greco. “Companies have already spent billions of dollars to reduce emissions by installing flare gas recovery and flare minimization systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality continues to improve as a result of these voluntary programs and existing regulations.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 25 million Americans.