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Environment & Safety

Human factors research identifies early warning signals to anticipate failures of workplace

A new independent research report has presented industry with a practical way to measure the human factors health of their safety regimes, potentially opening the way to significant advances in workplace safety, environmental stewardship and operational efficiency.

EPA establishes Clean Air Act standards for boilers and incinerators

In response to federal court orders requiring the issuance of final standards, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing final Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators that achieve public health protections through reductions in toxic air emissions, including mercury and soot, but cut the cost of implementation by about 50% from an earlier proposal issued last year.

US senator urges IOCs to cease Libyan operations

All American and international oil companies should immediately cease operations in Libya until violence against civilians ceases. The Obama administration also should consider re-imposing U.S. sanctions that were lifted during the Bush era

$8.8 billion for FGD systems market in 2011

Coal-fired power plant operators will complete investments of $8.8 billion for flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems starting operation in 2011. The investment in 2012 will be down and will bounce back in 2013.

Atlas Inspection Technologies expands across US

Atlas Inspection Technologies, a Seattle-based provider of remote visual inspection solutions for the industrial and manufacturing sectors, announced further expansion across North America.

15 groups seek to bar EPA funding for E15

NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, was one of 15 organizations signing a letter to the leadership of the US House of Representatives supporting a measure by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Oklahoma) that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using federal funds to cover EPA costs involved with increasing the amount of ethanol in gasoline from the current 10% to 15%.

New technology for removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas

The Japanese companies JGC Corp. and I NPEX Corp. jointly with BASF SE have successfully completed tests of a new technology for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from natural gas under high pressure.

Total Safety acquires Pacific Environmental Consulting

Total Safety has acquired Pacific Environmental Consulting, a British Columbia-based industrial hygiene, occupational safety and environmental consulting firm servicing the greater Western Canadian market.

KBR and Valero startup benzene reduction projects

KBR today announced that Valero Energy has successfully started up advanced reformate splitters at three of its US refineries.

Former US House speaker proposes eliminating EPA

Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich is an advocate for the elimination of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).