Houston mayor takes new approach to refinery benzene emissions

Houston Mayor Bill White is trying to get help from the state of Texas in setting limits for benzene emissions from refineries. It’s his latest strategy in 2 years of lobbying about the need for better air quality along the Houston Ship Channel.

Specifically, White asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to grant an administrative hearing on LyondellBasell’s application for renewal of its flexible permit at its Houston refinery.

A flexible permit allows a company to determine its pollution controls provided that emissions remain below certain limits. Lyondell received the permit in 1999 and is seeking a 10-year renewal. A TCEQ spokesman said it’s too early to say if Lyondell’s application will receive an administrative hearing.

Refineries are one source of benzene emissions. It’s well documented that Mayor White is concerned about emissions from Houston-area refineries. The snag is that some refineries are outside city limits. Hence, White now is trying to address his concerns via the state permitting process.