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E.P.A. Cuts Pollution Levels With Refinery Settlements (MICHAEL JANOFSKY, 10/10/04, NY Times)

Despite its continuing difficulties forcing power plants to reduce their toxic emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency has enjoyed unusual success in bringing down pollution levels from some of the nation's largest oil refining companies.

Enforcement efforts begun in the Clinton administration have led to negotiated settlements with a dozen companies in the last four years, resulting in fines of $40 million and promises by the companies to spend $2.2 billion for equipment upgrades that reduce toxic emissions. The improvements are projected to eliminate nearly 170,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, substances that cause problems for human health and the ozone.

Agency officials say the settlements represent 41 percent of the industry, with negotiations under way that would reach 60 percent by early next year. Officials say no other industry group monitored for toxic emissions has responded so aggressively to threats of litigation over Clean Air Act violations.

"This is the model," Thomas V. Skinner, the E.P.A.'s chief enforcement officer, said of the refineries. "Our goal is 100 percent, but I'm sure some companies won't sign on; they'll end up fighting. But 60 percent is an incredible success story."

Even environmental groups admit that the agency has done a commendable job reducing toxic emissions at refineries, which account for about one percent of the nation's total emissions.

Here's one of the subtle ways that media bias works. It's entirely fair and accurate to mention that the enforcement process was begun under the Clinton administration, but do you suppose the Times is so assiduous in mentioning that Mr. Clinton's main legacy--the free trade bills--was largely achieved by his Republican predecessors?

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 10, 2004 9:57 AM