HollyFrontier Submits Plans to Reduce Air Emissions Through U-CAIR

In a show of support for Gov. Gary R. Herbert’s U-CAIR initiative to improve air quality, HollyFrontier’s Woods Cross Refinery has unveiled plans to add pollution control equipment that reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 90 percent, or approximately 150 tons per year.

“I applaud HollyFrontier for their support of the U-CAIR initiative to improve air quality statewide,” Herbert said. “Only by working together can we improve our air quality. Whether it’s industry like HollyFrontier making changes to how they operate or an individual choosing to limit idling in their car, every change we make results in cleaner air.”

“This project isn’t required under its current air quality permit,” noted Bryce Bird, director of the Division of Air Quality. “The modifications the company is making are voluntary and a good example of industry stepping up to do its part to improve air quality.”

Woods Cross Refinery Manager Lynn Keddington credited the staff at the refinery for coming up with the innovative control technique that will redirect effluent from the sulfur recovery unit to a wet gas scrubber in another unit. The refinery estimates that this will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 150 tons per year.

“We wanted to do our part and show our commitment to improving our air quality, so we challenged our employees and consultants to look at how we could go above and beyond what was required for our expansion project to help reduce emissions and support U-CAIR,” Keddington said.

“We understand it’s a privilege to conduct business in this community,” Keddington added.  “That’s why we are working hard to be proactive and be a good corporate citizen. We realize if
we all work together we can make a huge difference.”

As part of its Modernization Project, the refinery is employing the best control technology to have better control over operations and emissions. The first phase of the project, which cost about $250 million has already reduced the refinery's emissions. The estimated $250 million planned expansion is expected to reduce actual emissions by 10 to 12 percent.

The refinery, which was built in 1932, currently processes 650,000 gallons of gasoline per day and 365,000 gallons of diesel fuel. About 60 percent of what it produces is sold in Utah, with the remainder going to markets in Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada. The expansion will enable the refinery to process waxy crude oil from the Uintah Basin in eastern Utah.