U.S. EPA opens public comment period for Big West of California refinery project

SAN FRANCISCO - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opened the public comment period on a proposed air permit for the construction of a Clean Fuels Project at the Big West of California, Bakersfield refinery.

Air emissions from the proposed project are subject to federal air pollution permitting laws for new emission sources under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration regulations of the Clean Air Act.

The proposed project would consist of new process units and supporting equipment at the existing Bakersfield refinery for the conversion of intermediate products into gasoline and diesel fuel that meets California Air Resources Board gasoline and diesel fuel specifications.

The public comment period for the proposed air permit opens today. Interested parties may submit comments on the permit now through December 12. An open house and public hearing have been scheduled as follows:

Date: December 5

Time: Open House: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Discovery Elementary School, Multipurpose Room
9500 Vaquero Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308