Exploring the Basics of BWON – Part One

The Benzene Waste Operations NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants), or more commonly known as BWON, rule was promulgated under 40 CFR Part 61,Subpart FF, of the Clean Air Act in 1993 to control benzene emissions from facility waste.The rule applies to Petroleum refineries, Chemical plants, Coke by-product recovery facilities and TSDFs (treatment, storage and disposal facilities) that handle Wastes from refineries, chemical plants and coke by-production recovery facilities.

September Cover Story Featuring Ventil!

As a global supplier of valve test and repair equipment, Ventil supports its customers at every stage of planning, development and execution of unique engineering applications.

New FLIR A6260 Sets New Standard for SWIR

The FLIR A6260 combines high-speed performance with fully customizable features, offering improved sensitivity and linearity across the full dynamic range.

U.S. Refiners to Learn of Biofuel Waiver Bids

Small refiners in the U.S. will not have much longer to wait to find out if they have been exempt from biofuel mandates.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will start deciding on 2018 waivers in the “next few weeks, month at the most,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said at a Monroe Energy LLC’s Trainer refinery event in Pennsylvania.The Renewable Fuel Standard has been a source of contention between agriculture and oil refiners and the fight over the small refinery exemptions has been particularly contentious.

Natural-Gas Plants to Pay Carbon Emission Tax by 2030

The Canadian federal government has announced it plans to increase the carbon tax on new natural-gas plants in an effort to discourage power companies from building them.This tax is part of the final set of regulations for the government’s carbon-tax system for big industrial greenhouse-gas emitters.

Ethanol’s Potential to Reduce GHG Emissions

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has revealed two new studies that offer evidence of grain-based ethanol’s potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, This new research will allow policymakers and regulators to focus on the advances being made by corn farmers and ethanol producers in sustainability and efficiency.“As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers the GHG impacts of expanded ethanol consumption under the Renewable Fuel Standard, we urge them to strongly consider the latest science and data regarding ethanol’s tremendous carbon benefits,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper in a press release.One of the studies was carried out by the Laboratory for Applied Spatial Analysis at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE-LASA).

EPA Halts Surprise Inspections of Power,Chemical Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing away with a policy that allows pollution enforcement officials to drop in unannounced for inspections at power and chemical plants.In a July 11 memo shared with EPA, regional administrators outlined a new enforcement policy that would do away with surprise inspections tactics.The new policy would stop agency officials from conducting inspections at facilities without giving prior notice to the states involved, as a way to increase communication between agencies, states, and regulatory bodies.“A ‘no surprises' principle is the foundation of joint work planning and will minimize the misunderstandings that can be caused by the lack of regular, bilateral communication,” wrote Susan Bodine, Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assistance in the memo.

Dow Enhances Sustainability of Olympic Games Venues

Dow, a Worldwide Olympic Partner and the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, is offering industry-leading solutions to help insulate, seal, connect, coat and protect key Olympic venues, such as the Olympic Stadium, Ariake Arena, and many more.

Chevron Awards Schlumberger 20-year Offshore Contract

Oil and energy Chevron has awarded Schlumberger a twenty-year contract for offshore projects in Gulf of Mexico. Schlumberger will provide the underwater equipment and services for Chevron's offshore projects in the area.

ValvTechnologies Passes API 641 Test

ValvTechnologies, Inc., the design and manufacturing of zero-leakage severe service isolation valve solutions, announced that it has met the requirements of American Petroleum Institute (API) 641 through the third-party witnessed testing.