US LNG exporting giant Cheniere said on Tuesday that it “strongly disagrees” with a decision by the US Environmental Protection Agency to reject its request on exempting gas-powered turbines at Cheniere’s two LNG terminals from a hazardous pollution rule.
The agency on Tuesday denied Cheniere’s request to waive a rule that limits emissions of formaldehyde released by gas-fired turbines.
Cheniere operates the six-train 30 mtpa Sabine Pass LNG facility in Louisiana as well as the three-train 15 mtpa Corpus Christi plant in Texas.
Both of these plants have gas-powered turbines and Cheniere will now have to figure out a way to comply with this rule.
“Unwarranted expenditures”
“While we strongly disagree with EPA’s decision, we will work with our state and federal regulators to develop solutions that ensure compliance,” Cheniere said in a statement.
Also, Cheniere said that the company’s “conviction remains that these emissions do not pose a risk to public health, our workforce or the environment.”
“Although this decision may result in unwarranted expenditures, we believe the steps needed to come into full compliance will not result in a material financial or operational impact and that we will continue to reliably supply LNG to customers and countries around the world,” Cheniere said.
The LNG producer did not provide any additional information.
According to Reuters, owners and operators of gas turbines had a September 5 deadline to comply with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which the administration of President Joe Biden put into effect after an 18-year stay.
Moreover, around 250 US gas turbines are subject to the new rule, according to an EPA list, nearly a quarter of them Cheniere’s, it said.
“Though EPA is denying Cheniere’s request for a special subcategory to comply with the turbines rule, the Agency will continue to work with them and with other companies as needed to assure they meet Clean Air Act obligations,” Reuters cited an EPA spokesperson as saying.