tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165473828484976323.post5539578966216874992..comments2023-07-23T07:50:47.861-07:00Comments on pdxair: How Green is Oregon?pdxairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05452322476348153253noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165473828484976323.post-9799781218639082982009-07-01T17:05:50.702-07:002009-07-01T17:05:50.702-07:00I was trying to get the right information about th...I was trying to get the right information about the reasoning behind the high benzene levels in Oregon gas, and why we have nearly twice the ratio of benzene (a class A carcinogen) as the rest of the nation. The answer has to do with where we get our fuel from (Alaska "drill, baby, drill, where crude oil is naturally high in benzene); and the fact that most Northwest refineries do not have the equipment to remove benzene when producing gasoline.<br /><br />Warren is correct in saying that Sen. Wyden pushed the EPA to establish a benzene cap on each refinery in the nation. But refiners have until 2012 to comply. So hold your breath for a couple more years...<br /><br />More information from the DEQ Fact Sheet on Benzene: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/factsheets/06-AQ-018_benzene.pdfpdxairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452322476348153253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165473828484976323.post-81281600368750365572009-06-29T15:20:14.658-07:002009-06-29T15:20:14.658-07:00On a slightly different note, I found it interesti...On a slightly different note, I found it interesting that the Sunday (6/28), Oregonian highlighted the problems of unemployment and lack of economic development in Harney County (Burns is the largest town there) despite the fact that, as quoted by a source, "It's easier to get an air quality permit in Harney County than in other places." When you look at the Oregon map from the EPA report, you can clearly see that Harney County looks about as bad as the Portland area. I was wondering why so now I guess we know. My point would be if even sacrificing air quality doesn't guarantee sustainable growth and development for rural areas -- why risk it?Nancy J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04978743996368831243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165473828484976323.post-85803104939963358502009-06-24T15:54:47.462-07:002009-06-24T15:54:47.462-07:00I believe our much higher than normal levels of be...I believe our much higher than normal levels of benzene come from the quality of gasoline we burn in our cars here. Pretty much all of our gas here comes from Alaska, whose crude oil produces gasoline higher in benzene than gasoline from other crude oil. Senator Ron Wyden has pushed EPA to fix this problem and make sure Oregon doesn't continue getting so much of this high benzene gasoline. He's gotten some traction on the issue and a change is supposed to occur within the next couple years I believe.Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328234053040542754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2165473828484976323.post-27463078588192114582009-06-24T10:43:01.717-07:002009-06-24T10:43:01.717-07:00Interestingly, I heard a piece on OPB a year or so...Interestingly, I heard a piece on OPB a year or so ago talking about how levels of benzene (which is carcinogenic) in the Willamette Valley is extraordinarily/dangerously high. If my memory serves me correct, I think they were attributing the benzene to PDX, but I could be wrong.Todd C. Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10221227813823024411noreply@blogger.com