Michigan Democrats Seek Study Of Petcoke, A Tar Sands Byproduct

摘要

Five Democratic lawmakers from Michigan have introduced legislation that would require EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study the public health and environmental impacts of petroleum coke, a byproduct of refining tar sands and crude oil that environmentalists oppose because of its high greenhouse gas (GHG) profile. The lawmakers are responding to home-state concerns over a growing mound of petroleum coke (petcoke) that is accumulating at a refinery across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. The piles are owned by Koch Carbon, which is owned by Charles and David Koch, the controversial owners of Koch Industries who fund many Tea Party groups. The legislation, H.R. 2298, would require studies of the production, transportation, storage and use of petcoke. It is sponsored by Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) and cosponsored by Michigan's four other Democratic House members, John Conyers, John Dingell, Dan Kildee and Sander Levin.