ASHLAND BEATS TARGET IN PROGRAM TO CUT EMISSIONS

Ashland Oil Inc. has notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it has more then met its first goal to voluntarily reduce chemical emissions 1 year before the company's target date. Paul W. Chellgren, Ashland Oil president and chief operating officer, said the company reduced certain chemical emissions 37% in 1988-91. Ashland was among oil companies that agreed to take part in EPA's Industrial Toxics Project (ITP), which established voluntary goals to reduce 17 targeted chemicals

Sept. 7, 1992

2 min read

Ashland Oil Inc. has notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it has more then met its first goal to voluntarily reduce chemical emissions 1 year before the company's target date.

Paul W. Chellgren, Ashland Oil president and chief operating officer, said the company reduced certain chemical emissions 37% in 1988-91.

Ashland was among oil companies that agreed to take part in EPA's Industrial Toxics Project (ITP), which established voluntary goals to reduce 17 targeted chemicals from industrial facilities by one-third by 1992 and one-half by 1995.

Ashland is participating in the ITP through Ashland Petroleum Co. and Ashland Chemical Inc.

The two companies reduced emissions of toluene, xylene, 1,1,1-trocholorethane, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, tetrachlorethylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, nickel, chromium and lead to 846,675 lb in 1991 from 1,373,355 lb in 1988.

Ashland aims for further reductions, even though its facilities have been in compliance with current rules.

Ashland Chemical is reducing its emissions mainly through material substitution and process modification. Ashland Petroleum's initiatives include improving inspection and maintenance of operations to reduce fugitive emissions, installing storage tank vapor controls, and eliminating the use of chromium and lead.

"We expect that $15-20 million will be spent by Ashland to achieve our emissions reduction goals," Compton said.