OIL INDUSTRY BALKS AT SOUTH COAST FLARE EMISSION REDUCTION PLAN

Oil industry representatives are opposing South Coast air district plans to craft regulatory amendments requiring flare emission reductions at refineries and other facilities, arguing that voluntary efforts have significantly reduced the pollution and that further controls are unnecessary and carry unacceptable costs. The industry's opposition may complicate or draw out district efforts to craft the regulatory amendments, despite the release of a new report that shows the flares result in substantial emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx). The rule amendments may...