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EPA Issues GHG Permit to OCI Beaumont; $83 million economic development ;

Release Date: 08/01/2014
Contact Information: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

DALLAS – (Aug. 1, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to the OCI Beaumont LLC, methanol and ammonia plant in Nederland, Texas.

“Companies in Texas are expanding their operations and production to meet growing demands and also meeting our climate goals,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “This project shows that economic development and environmental protection can make good business sense.”

Once completed the plant will have two modified reformers, a new pre-reformer, pre-reformer heater, flare and saturator column. The new additions and modifications will increase methanol production to 3000 metric tons per day. The projected is expected to bring $83 million to the local community.

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 the 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 industry to continue to grow in Texas.

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

EPA has finalized 47 GHG permits in Texas, proposed an additional four permits and currently has 14 additional GHG permit applications under review and permit development in Texas.

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EPA is taking a variety of actions to cut Greenhouse Gas emissions and address the impacts of climate change. Most recently, EPA released a Clean Power Plan for existing power plants to cut carbon pollution by 30 percent below 2005 levels. Learn more about EPA’s actions at https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/.