Issue 33/2013 - New U.S. refinery toxic emissions standards are expected

It is reported that the EPA will propose a new draft recommendation for toxic emissions standards for refineries by February 14, 2014, and will officially introduce them by December 19, 2014, thus ending the old standards
previously implemented.
In addition, the EPA has until February 14, 2014, to determine whether refinery residue risk standards
need to be established under the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

The EPA said the actions were part of a settlement to settle lawsuits filed by Air Houston Air Coalition, the California Anti-Drug Community Coalition, Environmental Justice and others in U.
S.
District Court for the District of
Columbia.

As early as September 2012, the groups filed a lawsuit accusing the EPA of long delays in updating toxic emissions standards, which were released
in 1995.
Emission standards need to be regularly evaluated and updated
as required by the U.
S.
Clean Air Act.
Toxic substances proposed by these groups include benzene, nitrogen oxides and sulfur
dioxide.
(Xiaohua)