El Dorado-based Murphy Oil will pay $1.25 million in penalties as a result of Clean Air Act violations at two of the company’s petroleum refineries (one in Wisconsin, the other in Louisiana). But that’s not all. As part of the settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, Murphy will spend another $142 million to install pollution reduction equipment and $1.5 million on a “supplemental environmental project.” From the release:
“The Justice Department is committed to vigorously enforcing our nation’s environmental laws,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Environment and Natural Resource Division Assistant Attorney General. “Nationwide, many refineries are located in economically distressed or disadvantaged communities. Settlements like this one, that require the installation of pollution reduction equipment, result in cleaner, safer environments for affected communities.”
The new air pollution control technologies and other measures to be implemented at both refineries will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by nearly 1,400 tons per year once all controls are installed. The settlement will also reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter and carbon monoxide. These pollutants can cause serious respiratory problems and exacerbate cases of childhood asthma, among other adverse health effects.
More info on the settlement here.