The American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers on Tuesday said the EPA’s recent proposal to limit GHG emissions from refineries would cost an initial $20 billion and lead to higher emissions.
In a letter to the agency, the groups said the proposed ban on releases from atmospheric relief valves and the broader application of certain flare limits would require the construction of hundreds of new flare systems. This runs counter to the industry and the EPA’s shared goal of reducing flaring, they wrote.
API Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman said even without the flare system requirements the EPA’s proposal would cost more than $100 million per year without reducing emissions.
The groups also said the EPA failed to consider the industry-provided full range of installation costs when evaluating limitations on vents from delayed cokers. As a result, the EPA proposed limits on existing delayed coker units that are “unjustifiably” more stringent than recently established rules for new, modified and reconstructed units.
The EPA seeks to finalize the refinery rules by next April.
SEE ALSO: California air quality district seeks 20% emissions reduction
