Hey Neighbors!
The Superior Refinery is asking the Wisconsin DNR for an increase in allowable nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution released by the fluid catalytic cracking unit. What’s that? Well, the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is the thing that caused the explosion in 2018.
Re-starting a fluid catalytic cracking unit is one of the most dangerous and complex procedures in a petroleum refinery. While essential for producing gasoline, the units operate at extremely high temperatures and pressures, combining hydrocarbon vapors with a catalyst in a way that risks fires, explosions, and toxic releases if not done right. Because the Superior Refinery has been hitting its nitrogen oxide pollution limits, it’s been having to re-start the FCCU a lot. In fact, they shut down 85 times last year.
The problem is: Each time they shut down, the re-start causes a whole bunch of new pollution that we breathe in. The idea behind the new higher limits of NOx is that we’d have fewer re-starts.
However, nitrogen oxide is no joke either–in fact, it’s one of the worst pollutants, contributing to asthma and cardiovascular disease for residents. The allowable amounts in this new permit will go up from 23.7 parts per million to 37 parts per million, which translates into 29.5 tons per year versus 43.5 tons.
For questions or comments on the permit contact Beth Perk at
(608) 267-0573 or by e-mail at Beth.Perk@wisconsin.gov. You can simply send an email asking for continuous monitoring of the nitrogen oxides as part of the permitting approval process.
The Superior Refinery says it’s our neighbor, but if that’s true then they should step up and do the right thing. We also asked two scientists to look at the permit data and we’re releasing our questions and their responses. It’s complicated, but we want to make sure the public has the information if they want it. I’ve put those questions and the refinery’s documents in the comments as well.
More information about the permit found here.
Here are a few more ideas for people to comment on regarding the permit:
1. There are other pollutants being emitted and odors already from this refinery that we don’t know about.
Does changing from a block crude (alternating heavy and light crudes) to heavy crude dominant blend cause increased pollution and odors. We already have odors. Will there be more now? What about the cumulative health impact to the community?
2. If this permit is granted, is there room for other industries to expand that do not have all the other pollution this refinery has?
3. Of the 85 automatic shutdowns, should the public have been notified? Why was this decision to switch from block crude to heavy crude not designed into the rebuild? Have they done anything to decrease the NOX other than request an increase in emissions? They have been noncompliant for 5 months. What is the penalty?
4. This facility is near residential areas and the entire community is within 3 miles of this refinery. Best practice is public real time air monitoring and this should be made part of the permit due to the history of violations since reopening and a previous explosion at this site.
5. The DNR is understaffed and underfunded. Has there been adequate evaluation of this facility and their permit request? Has their been evaluation of the impact it will have on the community who bears the burden of the emissions and safety issues? DNR funding has been cut over the years and has too many industries to keep close tabs on.
Neighbors for a Superior Future 