Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduced At Marcus Hook

(February 28, 2020) — Energy Transfer Partners (Dallas) writes that thanks to continued coal plant retirements and an increased switch to natural gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in both the U.S. and the European Union dropped by 1.7% from 2018 to 2019, according to new data released by the Global Carbon Project. And from 2000 to 2018, the U.S. reduced its CO2 by nearly 10%.

Closer to home, Pennsylvania’s net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dropped nearly 19% from 2005 to 2016, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection data shows. Energy Transfer notes that the majority of the decline in Pennsylvania GHG emissions was thanks to the transportation, industrial, and electric-power sectors—collectively 84%—underlining the benefit of using pipelines to transport energy products rather than trucks or trains. Pipeline transportation is not only better environmentally, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has proven it’s safer.

On the industrial side, ongoing CO2 emission reductions at the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex in Pennsylvania are contributing to the state’s overall environmental health. CO2 emissions from the complex’s boilers are significantly lower today than they were about a decade ago—from 1.6 million metric tons in 2010 to just 206,000 metric tons in 2018—according to data obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s electronic greenhouse gas reporting tool.

For reference, the former oil refinery at Marcus Hook was idled in 2011 and acquired by Sunoco Logistics in 2012. In April 2017, Sunoco Logistics merged with Energy Transfer, and the company has since been transforming the former refinery into a world-class natural gas liquids hub, inherently lowering carbon emissions.

More than 5000 individual workers across nearly nine million man hours have supported major improvements at the facility, including the construction of an ethane/propane splitter, chilling and storage units for both ethane and propane, and a fractionator that will process NGLs for transportation from western Pennsylvania.

Even more, the expansion of the Mariner East pipeline system, combined with transformations being made at the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex over the last six years, mean that additional propane is available for delivery to local customers. As more households switch from fueloil to propane for home heating, Pennsylvania’s emissions will continue to drop.

The work continuing to be done at the complex is not only employing more Pennsylvania tradespeople, but it is also helping to improve the state’s air quality. It wouldn’t be possible without the Mariner East pipeline system, safety delivering NGLs from western Pennsylvania to the banks of the Delaware River, ultimately to fuel residents’ everyday lives and drive the nation’s economy and energy security.

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, available by subscription.)