The EPA agreed to revisit the methodologies used to measure volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions at refineries and chemical plants, a coalition of community and environmental groups announced Wednesday. The agreement is the result of a lawsuit filed by the Environmental Integrity Project on behalf of numerous groups in Texas and Louisiana.
The groups accused the EPA of failing to regularly review the methods used to measure VOC emissions from liquid storage tanks, industrial flares and wastewater treatment systems at refineries and chemical plants. The groups said the EPA has not done so in 20 years, despite Clean Air Act mandate requiring a review once every three years.
In a statement, the groups cited data showing refineries reported 37,895 tons of VOC emissions from flares, tanks and wastewater treatment systems in 2010. Recent EPA studies, however, suggest actual VOC emissions may be 10 to 100 times higher than estimates based on emission factors.
Under the agreement, the EPA must issue final revisions to the emission factors for tanks, flares and wastewater treatment systems no later than Dec. 19.
