The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to C3 Petrochemicals LLC in Alvin, Texas. C3 plans to construct a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant at its existing facility near Alvin, which is south of Houston in Brazoria County. The permit is another in the series of permits drafted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and issued by EPA under a program to facilitate timely permitting for applicants in the State of Texas. "The joint permitting program we have developed with TCEQ is helping Texas business and keeps a keen eye on protecting the environment," said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "We are working to help Texas businesses take advantage of growth opportunities while building greener facilities with better controls for greenhouse gas emissions."
The plant will convert propane to propylene, an important component of many consumer plastics. The PDH process will use a continuous catalytic regenerator that does not use combustion or steam and results in lower GHG emissions. The estimated project cost is $1.2 billion and will create about 40 new jobs. 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. EPA has finalized 42 GHG permits in Texas, proposed an additional 7 permits, and currently has over 21 additional GHG permit applications under review and permit development in Texas.
