Under a proposed settlement reached with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Wisconsin, Husky Energy Inc. will complete two environmentally beneficial projects at its petroleum refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, to offset the emissions resulting from an explosion and fire at the site on April 26, 2018. The projects include a wood stove change-out in communities potentially affected by the excess emissions caused by the incident, and solar panel installation on buildings at the Superior campus of the University of Wisconsin. The agreement also requires Husky to upgrade various aspects of its hydrofluoric-acid-related operations.
In April 2018, while Husky was implementing a planned, comprehensive maintenance operation that involved the rebuild, repair, or installation of new equipment and processing units, an explosion and fire occurred. The emissions from the incident violated a number of emission standards and permit requirements.
The projects, estimated to cost around $1.3 million, will mitigate the noncompliant emissions?primarily, of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds?that occurred during the explosion and fire.