Cheniere's request was to waive a rule that limits emissions of cancer-causing formaldehyde released by gas-fired turbines
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday denied a
request by Cheniere Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:
LNG), a
leading U.S. producer of liquefied natural gas, to exempt two Gulf Coast plants
from a federal air pollution rule.
An EPA spokesman says the agency on Tuesday denied
Cheniere's request to waive a rule that limits emissions of cancer-causing
formaldehyde released by gas-fired turbines. Dozens of turbine operators faced
a Monday deadline to comply with the formaldehyde rule, which is being
reinstated after an 18-year stay.
"Controlling emissions of formaldehyde is important to
protect public health. Though EPA is denying Cheniere's request for a special
subcategory to comply with the turbines rule, the agency will continue to work
with them and with other companies as needed to assure they meet Clean Air Act
obligations,'' EPA spokesman Tim Carroll said in an e-mail Tuesday.
Cheniere, the largest LNG exporter in the U.S., had
warned that new requirements on LNG plants in Texas and Louisiana could
disrupt gas supplies to Europe, which has struggled with surging energy prices
following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Strong disagreement
In a statement Tuesday, Cheniere said it strongly disagrees
with EPA's decision but will work with state and federal regulators to
"develop solutions that ensure compliance'' with the hazardous-pollution
rule.
"Our conviction remains that these emissions do not
pose a risk to public health, our workforce or the environment,'' company
spokesman Eben Burnham-Snyder said in an email. "
Althoughthis decision may result in unwarranted expenditures, we believe that the
steps needed to come into full compliance will not result in a material
financial or operational impact. and that we will be able to continue to
reliably supply LNG to customers and countries around the world."
Environmental activists said Cheniere was using
the global gas shortage — and spiking prices in Europe — to try to avoid
meeting EPA rules that many consider lax.
"Because it's costly, Cheniere is asking for exemptions
to EPA rules so they can continue to release cancer-causing pollutants into our
communities — the same poor neighborhoods President (Joe) Biden has vowed to
protect," said James Hiatt of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, an activist
group that has worked with communities near oil refineries, chemical plants and
other manufacturers to fight pollution.
Petrochemical plants, pipeline operators and other
manufacturers will have to prove they've complied with EPA limits on
formaldehyde under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants, a 2004 rule that is being reinstated after an 18-year stay.
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