Dartmouth Refinery to Reduce Emissions

The Imperial Oil refinery in Dartmouth will reduce its nitrogen oxide emissions as part of a national commitment from oil refineries to improve air quality.

The refinery is one of 20 Canadian facilities that has committed to a national framework for petroleum refinery emission reductions.

"Clean air is important to the health and safety of Nova Scotians, and it's being achieved through government, industry and others working together," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "On behalf of Nova Scotians, I thank Imperial for this effort, which helps us meet our green plan and energy strategy commitments to making the air we breathe cleaner."

Emissions from petroleum refineries include sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.

The Dartmouth refinery will focus on reducing nitrogen oxide because it is already meeting expectations for the other emissions outlined in the framework for facilities of its size and type.

"We appreciate Nova Scotia's support of this framework, which will help our Dartmouth refinery reduce its emissions in the most efficient, cost-effective manner without compromising our competitiveness," said refinery manager Brian Fairley. "We're pleased this facility is already in line with the framework levels for most emissions. We're already making plans to further reduce our sulphur dioxide emissions consistent with the new provincial air quality regulations, so we'll integrate reductions in nitrogen oxide into that planning process."

The Council of Canadian Ministers of the Environment worked with refineries and other stakeholders to help develop the framework. The Dartmouth refinery worked closely with Department of Environment and Labour staff through this process.

The framework includes tools and guidance for regulators, such as a strategy for monitoring and reporting refinery emissions and reductions. The Department of Environment and Labour will integrate these into its existing air quality program.

The national framework for petroleum refinery emission reductions is available on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment website at www.ccme.ca .