Institutions and Geographical Patterns by Robin Flowerdew

Author:Robin Flowerdew [Flowerdew, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Human Geography
ISBN: 9781317355588
Google: cKdACwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2015-12-22T05:06:16+00:00

hydrocarbons in Texas in 1973 were derived from such installations together with associated storage facilities (Texas Air Control Board, n.d.). Federal ambient standards for hydrocarbons were originally introduced in 1971 because of the presumed role of these compounds in the formation of photochemical oxidants. These secondary pollutants, more familiarly termed 'smog', are known to have a wide range of toxic effects and are derived by a complex series of chemical transformations based upon oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons. The basic approach to the control of photochemical oxidants adopted by the EPA has been to restrict emissions of all non-methane hydrocarbons rather than to focus attention upon nitrogen dioxide. It is argued that by limiting emissions of one of the essential ingredients in the process, oxidant formation will be correspondingly reduced. Whatever the doubts regarding the scientific validity of this policy (Tannahill, 1976), it has certainly directly affected the activities of the oil refining and petrochemical industries.

The primary ambient standard for photochemical oxidants (measured as ozone) was set in 1971 at 0.08 ppm not to be exceeded for more than one hour per year. It soon became apparent that large areas of the country had little prospect of attaining this standard by the required dates. More significant from the oil industry's point of view, it was estimated that approximately 85 per cent of United States oil refining and petrochemical capacity in 1975 was located in photochemical oxidant non-attainment areas (Radian, 1977). A similar pattern was apparent in Texas (Figure 5.2) and Louisiana (Figure 5.3) with non-attainment counties correlating fairly closely with the distribution of these industries. This situation, with its implications for the stringent control of hydrocarbon emissions, resulted in predictable reactions from the petroleum industry. Serious shortages in refining capacity were projected at national level (Elkin and Constable, 1978) and an industry representative at a hearing in Austin concerning the introduction in 1972 of a state regulation to control hydrocarbon emissions suggested that it 'would result in the shutdown of every refinery and petrochemical plant in Texas' (quoted in Magee and Cooper, 1978, p.7). Although the remark should be viewed as a political statement rather than a scientific prediction, it is symptomatic of oil industry attitudes towards the 1970 Clean Air

Figure 5.2: Photochemical Oxidant Non-attainment Counties in Texas

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