Greenhouse Gases
EPA proposes rules on Clean Air Act permitting for GHG emissions
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing two rules to ensure that businesses planning to build new, large facilities or make major expansions to existing ones will be able to obtain Clean Air Act permits that address their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the spring of 2010, EPA finalized the GHG Tailoring Rule, which specifies that beginning in 2011, projects that will increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit.
New CO2 capture technology to be tested in Japan
JGC, INPEX and BASF announced today that they have entered into an agreement to jointly carry out demonstration tests on a new technology for effectively capturing and recovering CO2 contained in natural gas. The tests are to be carried out starting in August at INPEX’s Koshijihara natural gas plant in Nagaoka, Japan.
NOAA: Past decade warmest on record
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminsitration (NOAA) released a report today that says “the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable.” More than 300 scientists from 160 research groups in 48 countries contributed to the report, “which confirms that the past decade was the warmest on record and that the Earth has been growing warmer over the last 50 years.”
Senate Democrats give up on climate change legislation
The Washington Post is reporting that Senate Democrats have given up the push for comprehensive climate change legislation.
Neste Oil sells its Sines plant in Portugal
Neste Oil Portugal S.A.,has sold its ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in Sines, Portugal, to Repsol Polimeros LDA. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
US National Biodiesel Board weighs in on RFS2 lawsuits
 In late May, lawsuits were filed in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit regarding the renewable fuels standard (RFS2) included in the 2007 energy bill. The National Biodiesel Board recent..
- BASF’s Intermediates division produces entire portfolio of acid chlorides and chloroformates at its Ludwigshafen site using renewable electricity credits 3/23
- LG Chem shuts down 800,000-tpy Yeosu naphtha cracker 3/23
- French Energy Ministry considers increasing oil refining capacity 3/23
- Schneider Electric global study shows energy industry ramping up investment in autonomous operations by 2030 as AI reshapes performance 3/23
- Middle East shock gives Dangote refinery leverage as cheap imports dry up 3/23
- Refiners in India, elsewhere in Asia look to buy Iranian oil after U.S. waives sanctions 3/23

