sulfur dioxide

Environmental regulators in Delaware fined the Delaware City Refinery $960,000 for releasing 745 tons of sulfur dioxide and over 50 tons of nitrogen oxides in May due to malfunctioning pollution control equipment. The emissions occurred during a repair period when secondary controls were used, exceeding permitted levels, though officials stated the pollution dispersed without posing a public health threat.

Fourth of July fireworks release harmful pollutants like smoke, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, posing serious health risks, particularly to lungs. The American Lung Association warns that fireworks smoke worsens conditions for people with asthma or COPD and advises avoiding exposure through measures like wearing N95 masks and staying upwind.

PJM Interconnection received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy to require data centers and large customers to use backup generators during a heatwave to prevent power outages. The emergency order, effective through July 3, allows temporary pollution limit exceedances for power generation and excludes critical facilities like hospitals and defense sites.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) plans to continue operating its Cumberland Fossil Plant despite previous retirement schedules, prompting a lawsuit from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) over Clean Air Act violations. The combined operation of the coal and new gas plants is projected to release significant pollutants linked to health risks.

Jim Franke, a University of Chicago researcher, is working on solar geoengineering to cool the planet by releasing materials in the stratosphere via high-altitude aircraft. The approach faces engineering and scientific challenges, including aircraft design, material dispersion, and monitoring effectiveness.

Marathon Petroleum and MPLX seek permits to expand operations in Detroit’s 48217 zip code, which would increase emissions of ozone-forming pollutants and sulfur dioxide. State officials assert they must approve permits meeting health standards regardless of cumulative pollution impacts, while residents argue the process ignores their community’s existing industrial burden. Proposed legislation aims to require consideration of regional health impacts before issuing permits.