Motiva Norco Refinery joins EPA pollution reduction partnership

Today the Environmental Protection Agency marked the entry of the Motiva Norco Refinery of Norco, Louisiana, into its national partnership for pollution reduction. The petroleum refiner pledges to recycle more than 3 million pounds of hazardous chemicals as part of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program.

“Motiva joins a growing list of EPA partners who exemplify the best in voluntary efforts to recycle, reduce and eliminate pollution,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “They are making significant contributions to sustain our environment and setting an example that inspires others.”

The National Partnership for Environmental Priorities consists of both public and private organizations that work with EPA to reduce usage or release of 31 priority chemicals beyond what is legally required. Reduction of these chemicals is important because of their ability to build up in the environment, causing harm to humans and the ecosystem.

Motiva pledges to recover and recycle these priority chemicals within their refining process. Specifically, the company has agreed to recycle 3 million pounds of spent aluminum oxide catalyst, 6,000 pounds of naphthalene, and 6,000 pounds of polycyclic aromatic compounds.

“Motiva Norco Refinery is pleased to become a partner in the EPA National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program,” said Anne-Marie Ainsworth, Motiva Norco Refinery General Manager. “We look forward to working together to reduce our impact on the environment.”

More than 100 partners across the nation have joined the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program, which has set a goal to work with industry and the public to reduce the use or release of four million pounds of priority chemicals by 2011. There are currently four other Louisiana partners in the program. Additional information on the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities is available by contacting Ryan Rosser at (214) 665-2247 or visiting http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/partnership.htm.

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, go to www.epa.gov/region6.