Christopher Schuler, christopher.schuler@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC – This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has denied a petition to remove stationary combustion turbines from the list of sources subject to regulation for emissions of air toxics, maintaining public health protections for communities near these facilities. As a result of denying this petition, stationary combustion turbines will continue to be required to comply with national limits on hazardous air pollutants under section 112 of the Clean Air Act.
Fossil fuel and chemical manufacturing groups petitioned the government, attempting to waive the emissions of stationary combustion turbines from Clean Air Act standards. These turbines—typically in operation at power plants, pipelines, compressor stations, landfills, and industrial facilities such as chemical plants—operate using natural gas, distillate oil, landfill gas, jet fuel, or process gas. Toxic emissions are present in the exhaust gasses of these turbines and are the result of combustion of the gaseous and liquid fuels. A recent analysis of existing power plant turbines and LNG terminals shows that these turbines are concentrated in or near Justice 40 tracts, an indicator of how these facilities’ toxic emissions primarily affect environmental justice communities.
The EPA’s decision is the culmination of five years of advocacy by the Sierra Club and its members, including advocates from its National Clean Air Team, to push back on efforts to exempt operations emitting these deadly toxins from the Clean Air Act.
In response to the announcement, the Sierra Club issued the following statements:
“The EPA’s denial of the petrochemical industry’s bid to ease regulations for these major sources of toxic air pollution is a victory for public health and the environment. This denial ensures that stringent controls on hazardous emissions remain in place, protecting our communities from the dangers of air pollution. The EPA's commitment to upholding these standards reinforces the importance of robust regulatory frameworks prioritizing our planet's health and its people over industrial convenience,” said Jane Williams, Chair of the Sierra Club National Clean Air Team
“Turbines are a major source of air toxics in Texas. This action today by EPA will help clear the air in our environmental justice communities which are disproportionately affected by the emissions of these turbines,” said Dr. Neil Carman, Clean Air Program Director for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.