Ergon Refining Inc. announced Tuesday that it has entered into voluntary agreements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies to reduce emission of air pollutants at its base oil and fuels refineries in Vicksburg, Miss., and Newell, W.Va.
The company said it will invest a total of $8 million during the next five years to install enhanced control equipment. It emphasized that the agreements did not result from any investigation by regulators, although the company will pay assessments totaling $249,600 to the state and federal agencies.
We decided to be proactive, Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety Paul Young said. Our participation in the voluntary program and the agreement to significantly reduce air emissions is the right thing to do for the environment, the community and the company.
Ergon said it asked to participate in the Petroleum Refining Initiative, a program EPA had launched with other refiners. The program allowsparticipants to install emission control equipment voluntarily in exchange for resolution of differences in interpretations of pollution regulations.
EPA referred questions about the agreements to the U.S. Department of Justice, where spokesmen could not be reached for comment.
Ergons refinery in Vicksburg has capacity to produce 11,300 barrels per day of naphthenic base oil. The Newell plant has capacity for 4,700 b/d of paraffinic oils. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection joined EPA as parties to the agreements in their respective states.