Notice of Final Approval for an Alternative Means of Emission Limitation to Use a Multi-
Point Ground Flare at Shell Oil Products U.S. Martinez Refinery - FACT SHEET
Action
•	On May 20, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved an alternative
means of emission limitation (AMEL) request from a refinery in Martinez, California.
•	This action is a notice of approval for Shell Oil Products U.S. Martinez Refinery (Shell
Martinez). This facility is a petroleum refinery.
•	This notice of approval specifies the flare operating conditions that must be met under the
terms of the AMEL approval.
•	The Clean Air Act (CAA) provides the ability for regulated sources to seek approval of an
AMEL, which must achieve emission reductions at least as stringent as the existing
standards.
•	Consistent with the requirements of the CAA, EPA provided an opportunity for the public to
comment on the specific flare operating conditions that Shell Martinez should follow to
ensure that equivalent emissions reductions are achieved by this multi-point ground flare
(MPGF).
Background
•	On March 11, 2019, EPA requested comments on the AMEL request from Shell Martinez.
The comment period for this action closed on April 10, 2019.
•	The requesting facility is subject to the Petroleum Refinery Sector Rule.
•	The Petroleum Refinery Sector Rule's requirements were developed for elevated flares with
a single flare tip.
•	The MPGF in question cannot meet the maximum permitted exit velocity requirements in the
Petroleum Refinery Sector Rule because of its design.
For More Information
•	To read the final action, visit https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-
pollution/alternative-means-emission-limitation-flares.
•	Today's action and other background information are also available either electronically at
https://www.regulations.gov/, EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, or in
hardcopy at the EPA Docket Center's Public Reading Room.
•	The Public Reading Room is located at the EPA Headquarters, room number 3334 in the
EPA William Jefferson Clinton West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern standard time, Monday through
Friday, excluding federal holidays.
•	Visitors are required to show photographic identification, pass through a metal detector and
sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor materials will be processed through an X-ray machine as
well. Visitors will be provided a badge that must be visible at all times.
•	Materials for these actions can be accessed using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738.

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• For further information about this action, contact Ms. Angie Carey of the EPA's Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards, at (919) 541-2187 or by email at
Carey.Angela@epa.gov.

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