As the EPA moves closer to new emissions standards for refineries, the agency has already begun instituting stricter enforcement, according to a Catalytic Products International blog.

CPI says the EPA is going this “under the guise of Environmental Research and calling it Community Air Monitoring.”

Here’s what CPI says this means for every operator with a clean air permit:

• If you have air pollution control equipment now, you have an obligation to insure it is operating correctly and at top performance. CPI says it can help by conducting a performance assessments or even making necessary repairs and efficiency updates.
• If you have emissions and your air pollution control is in tip-top condition — make sure all fugitive emission points are leak free and other housekeeping plans of action are implemented to keep the “Citizen EPA” from wreaking havoc on your operations.
• If you are have a permit and you are under emissions trigger points that allow operations without end-of-pipe control equipment, follow the same rules above to make sure you don’t call unwanted attention. Good planning now will help minimize your risk to negative attention.

Photo Credit: industrial plant emissions via Shutterstock