On September 27, 2024, it was announced that a U.S.-based refinery owned by Canada's Cenovus Energy will pay a $19 million penalty and invest approximately $150 million in capital improvements due to violations of emissions regulations. This settlement, reached with the U.S. Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), arises from the refinery's illegal emissions of benzene and other volatile organic compounds.
The Lima refinery in Ohio has been cited for exceeding allowable limits, prompting federal authorities to take action. The implications of this settlement highlight ongoing concerns regarding environmental compliance and air quality standards in the industrial sector, which resonate beyond U.S. borders as global attention on climate issues intensifies.
Source: Reuters, September 27, 2024