NMED Settles Emissions Violations Case with Western Refining

abarrelfull wrote on 14 Jul 2012 11:11
Tags: n-america refinery usa western

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The New Mexico Environment Department has reached a settlement with Western Refining over emissions violations that took place between July 1, 2009 through March 15, 2012 at the company’s Ciniza refinery near Gallup. Under the agreement, Western has agreed to pay stipulated penalties of $444,000 for excess emissions of sulfer dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.

“Western Refining has acknowledged they violated state emission standards,” said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary F. David Martin. “We take these violations seriously. It is our job to hold the facility accountable for these violations.”

In addition to the monetary fines, the agreement obligates Western Refining to undertake various upgrades and infrastructure improvements at the Ciniza refinery over the next several years.

These improvements should result in permanent lowering of emissions of regulated pollutants. “The Environment Department remains firmly committed to protecting the air that New Mexicans breathe,” said New Mexico Environment Department General Counsel Ryan Flynn.

“This agreement is forward looking because the upgrades and infrastructure improvements give
the state assurances that fewer pollutants will be released by the Ciniza Refinery.

• NMED Settles Emissions Violations Case with Western Refining

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