Motiva Joins EPA Partnership
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), has recognized Motiva Norco Refinery as a member of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), a voluntary program focusing on waste minimization and the reduction of priority chemicals. According to Norco Waste Program Coordinator Fred Goodson, Motiva's entry into the NPEP program recognizes the site's reuse program for non-hazardous catalyst as well as a recovery process for specific chemicals.
"Using innovative approaches to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals is a good environmental strategy," says EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene.
"By joining this program, Motiva is not only protecting public health and the environment, but showing good economic and business sense." EPA and LDEQ officials presented a plaque to Motiva Norco Refinery, during Motiva's Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) Week, in recognition of its NPEP partnership.
"Motiva is pleased to become a partner in the EPA National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program," comments Norco General Manager Anne-Marie Ainsworth. "We look forward to working together with the EPA and the LDEQ to reduce impact on the environment."
Goodson explains the refinery's NPEP goals and commitment includes the successful recovery of more than 6,000 pounds of naphthalene and 6,000 pounds of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) compounds using the Norco Oil Recovery Facility. Last year, the facility recovered more than 25,000 barrels of oil.
Additionally, the site is recycling spent alumina catalyst that would otherwise be targeted for disposal. Last August, for example, 3,900 tons of the catalyst were sent as feedstock to a cement kiln, displacing other raw material sources of alumina and silica used in cement manufacturing, instead of a landfill.
The National Partnership for Environmental Priorities is a voluntary waste minimiza tion program that encourages public and private organizations to form voluntary partnerships with EPA to reduce the use or release of 31 priority chemicals beyond the requirements of environmental regulations. The Waste Minimization Program is placing the greatest emphasis on the reduction of chemicals in wastes, and products, that, due to their chemical properties, can be harmful to human health and the environment over long periods of time if released to the environment. The priority chemicals can be released in air emissions, wastewater discharges, or disposal of industrial wastes on the land.
More information about NPEP and waste minimization may be found at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/partnership.htm
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