Poor Data, Lax Enforcement Mar EPA’s Oversight of Benzene Rule

Benzene emissions from gasoline may be higher than the EPA estimates because poor data quality and inconsistent enforcement are hampering the agency’s efforts, the inspector general said.

Between 34 percent and 42 percent of reports submitted by refiners to ensure their compliance with the benzene requirements in any given year contain inaccurate data, the Office of Inspector General said in its June 8 report.

While the Environmental Protection Agency agreed with the inspector general’s recommendations to improve its oversight of the program, Sarah Dunham, acting assistant administrator for air and radiation, said the errors in the batch reports ...