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EPA denies energy industry petition to shield turbines from air rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday denied a yearsold petition by energy industry groups who sought to get the company to eliminate limits on emissions of hazardous pollutants from stationary turbines, arguing that the risk causing cancer stays high.

The agency denied the joint petition submitted in 2019 by groups consisting of American Fuel & & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the American Petroleum Institute who asked to delist combustion turbines from the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Toxins (NESHAP), which imposes curbs on emissions of known carcinogens like formaldehyde and benzene.

Today's action will ensure individuals who live, work and play near these facilities are safeguarded from damaging air contamination, said EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a declaration.

Gas-powered turbines release formaldehyde and other dangerous contaminants through a chemical change that occurs when methane is superheated. Around 250 U.S. gas turbines had actually been subject to the guideline, according to an EPA list, that included liquefied natural gas company Cheniere, as well as power plant operators and other commercial centers.

Cheniere had independently petitioned the EPA in 2022 to exempt it from the NESHAP limits, arguing that complying with the rules would endanger their gas exports to Europe at a time that EU countries were seeking to source gas from beyond Russia, which had simply attacked Ukraine.

The petitioners argued that the turbines do not present a less than one in a million cancer danger however the EPA declined their petition, saying the petitioners did not present sufficient info and analyses.

The petitioners submitted extra information in November 2019, December 2020, and March 2021.

While we are disappointed with this decision, we will continue to deal with the EPA to ensure any brand-new or modified emissions requirements for combustion turbines are cost-efficient and technically feasible, said Scott Lauermann, a representative for the API.

Environmental groups in states in the southeast where turbines are commonly utilized said the rejection will safeguard vulnerable citizens who live near these centers.

It is seriously crucial that these turbines remain covered by federal guidelines which secure ecological justice communities from unsafe air harmful emissions, stated Keri Powell of the Southern Environmental Law Center.

(source: Reuters)