The US EPA has issued a final GHG Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to C3 Petrochemicals LLC, Alvin, Texas. C3 is planning to construct a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant at its existing facility near Alvin. The permit is another in the series of permits drafted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and issued by the EPA under a program to facilitate timely permitting for applicants in the State of Texas.
Ron Curry, EPA Regional Administrator said, ‘the joint permitting program we have developed with TCEQ is helping Texas business and keeps a keen eye on protecting the environment. We are working to help Texas businesses take advantage of growth opportunities while building greener facilities with better controls for greenhouse gas emissions.’
The new plant
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 US$ 1.2 billion and will create approximately 40 new jobs.
GHG permitting
In June 2010, the EPA finalised national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on 2nd January 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit. The EPA believes that states are best equipped to run their own GHG air permitting programs. Texas is currently working to replace the federal implementation plan with its own state one, which will eliminate the need for businesses to seek air permits from the EPA. This action will increase efficiency and allow industry to continue to grow in Texas.
Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd