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Michigan's environmental agency issued a new air permit to Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) to cover emissions from the company's Detroit refinery, which will allow an increase in crude throughput at the plant, Reuters reported Wednesday.
The refinery's previous permit had capped capacity at an annual average of 140K bbl/day, but the new permit removes limits on how much crude it can put through the plant.
The refinery, which produces gasoline, fuel oils, asphalt, propane, and propylene, has been relying on periods of shutdown or reduced production to meet the annual average limit.
Marathon (MPC) told Reuters the new air permit conditions include a reduction in emissions limits, voluntary emissions reduction projects and a six-year enhanced air monitoring program.
Local environmental groups said they are concerned the facility could add more pollutants to the air by processing more crude oil.