By the OGJ Online Staff
WASHINGTON, DC, May 8 -- The US Environmental Protection Agency has given two small refiners additional time to reduce the levels of sulfur in their gasoline production, an action that also will help them meet the June 1, 2006, deadline for low sulfur diesel fuel.
The refiners are National Cooperative Refining Association (NCRA), which operates an 80,000 b/d McPherson, Kan., refinery, and Wyoming Refining Co., which has a 12,500 b/d plant in Newcastle, Wyo.
They requested and were granted flexibility under a provision in EPA's Tier 2 program, which allows the agency to issue less stringent interim gasoline sulfur limits. This relief will allow the two refiners 2 1/2 to 4 years additional time to meet the rule, depending on each refiner's situation.
EPA Administrator Christine Whitman said, "The relief I am granting will give these refiners the ability to continue providing gasoline to consumers while moving ahead to provide cleaner air for all Americans. This approach is consistent with our goal to take actions that help businesses reduce harmful air pollution to create a strong, healthy environment."
The cleaner fuels and vehicles program, finalized in December 1999, requires passenger vehicles to be 77%-95% less polluting than at present, and reduce the sulfur content of gasoline by up to 90%. EPA said when the tailpipe and sulfur standards are fully implemented, the environmental benefits would be the equivalent of removing 164 million cars/year from the road.
The Tier 2 program has a hardship provision for refiners who have difficulty meeting the 30 ppm refinery average for sulfur in gasoline. The provision allows refiners to request additional time and flexibility to meet these sulfur standards.