EPA overturns air permits for ConocoPhillips refinery expansion

摘要

An expansion of ConocoPhillips' Wood River, 111., refinery to process heavy Canadian crude oil has hit a roadblock - an EPA appeals board has rejected required air permits. State officials had approved the issue of the permits last year but local environmental groups objected. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) claimed the state hindered local community input on the project and ignored readily available safeguards used at similar facilities across the country. The NRDC then petitioned the EPA appeals board, saying the Clean Air act required stronger air pollution safety measures.