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EPA Finalizes Greenhouse Gas Permit for Hydrocarbon Plant; Part of $3 billion investment that will bring jobs to Freeport, TX

Release Date: 05/21/2014
Contact Information: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (May 21, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to Dow Chemical Company for a light hydrocarbon plant near Freeport, TX. After 30 days, the permit will allow construction of a facility that will process ethane and propane to produce valuable products such as propylene and hydrogen. Construction of the facility will create up to 2,000 jobs, with up to 50 permanent jobs upon completion.

“Constructing this facility will bring jobs to Freeport, and provide vital materials for supporting many types of industries,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Dow’s new plant will benefit the economy while accounting for its greenhouse gas emissions.”

The facility will be built at Dow’s current Freeport site and will include eight new steam cracking-furnaces for ethane and propane. When finished, the plant will produce 1.5 million tons of ethylene and other products such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene, and hydrogen each year. These products are widely used in the chemical industry, as well as in the manufacturing of plastics, detergent, and consumer chemicals.

In June 2010, EPA finalized national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on January 2, 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit.

EPA believes states are best equipped to run GHG air permitting programs. Texas is working to replace a federal implementation plan with its own state program, which will eliminate the need for businesses to seek air permits from EPA. This action will increase efficiency and allow for industry to continue to grow in Texas.

EPA has finalized 38 GHG permits in Texas, proposed an additional 10 permits, and currently has over
22 additional GHG permit applications under development in Texas.

For all of the latest information on GHG permits in Texas please visit: https://yosemite.epa.gov/r6/Apermit.nsf/AirP

This month EPA is raising awareness and focusing efforts to improve the lives of children and families with asthma. Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans, disproportionately in low income and minority families. More information on efforts to combat asthma disparities: https://www.epa.gov/childrenstaskforce/index.html

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Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm