The Environmental Protection Agency has delayed a rule requiring a 93% reduction in benzene emissions from U.S. refineries and other plants "due to substantial confusion in industry."
It will issue clarifying amendments, and the rule will not take effect until Dec. 1.
The National Petroleum Refiners Association said the final rule will be ,'very expensive" for refiners.
EPA issued its final benzene waste rules for chemical plants, refineries, coke by-product recovery plants, and commercial treatment, storage, and disposal facilities Mar. 7, 1990. They were due to become effective Mar. 7, 1992, but several industrial groups urged a postponement.
The American Petroleum Institute sued to block the rule but dropped the suit last December after EPA agreed to delay the compliance date and make "substantive changes in a number of areas."
EPA admitted there is widespread misunderstanding of many of the provisions of the rule by key officials of affected industries, consulting firms, and local and state regulatory agencies. The agency said the longer lead time will help industries prepare for compliance but stressed it does not plan to change the basic control requirements of the original rule or the level of public health protection provided.
EPA said facilities should continue efforts toward compliance while the rule is being clarified.
When the final rule is issued, it will require industry to comply within 90 days. EPA may issue a 2 year waiver for facilities that have demonstrated a good faith effort to comply but will require them to take added action to mitigate benzene emissions resulting from delayed compliance.
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