Friday, May 8, 2015

EPA Says Bakersfield Oil Train Terminal Violates Air Rules

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency this week cited a crude oil terminal near Bakersfield for 10 violations of the Clean Air Act. The agency declared the facility is a major source of air pollution that should have been subjected to closer scrutiny by the San Joaquin Valley Air Board. The EPA found the terminal is not operating with a valid permit, and that it has inadequate pollution control equipment. Emails between air officials and the terminal’s project manager reveal that air board officials helped the project to avoid public hearings. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.