THE Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has confirmed confirmed the continuation of its ‘twin-track’ approach to the responsible restart of ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd’s Mossmorran facility.

With the agency having regular contact with the operator regarding its planned restart, SEPA confirmed it stands ready with a deployment of air quality, noise and regulatory monitoring.

Whilst more than twenty reports from the agency continue to confirm no breaches of air quality standards due to flaring at Mossmorran, SEPA is continuing its deployment of air quality monitoring in multiple locations surrounding the site.

Locations in Lochgelly, Auchtertool and Donibristle, upwind and downwind of the complex, ensure that SEPA can monitor in local communities and take account of changes in wind direction. Full air quality reports are published at www.sepa.org.uk/mossmorran

The agency has also deployed noise monitoring in Lochgelly and a residential location to the South East of the site, with additional responsive mobile monitoring to be deployed if required. Noise monitoring data associated with the regulatory investigation cannot be published at this time.

SEPA has previously confirmed air quality monitoring will stay in place whilst the recently announced £140m investments by ExxonMobil are made at Mossmorran. SEPA is also working alongside partner agencies with air quality responsibilities to assess future requirements.

The agency also confirmed progress in driving change to address the root causes of ‘unacceptable’ flaring including requiring noise-reducing flare tips and fully enclosed ground flare technologies to be installed that will significantly reduce the impact on the rare future occasions when flaring is necessary.

Rob Morris, SEPA Senior Manager, Compliance & Beyond, said: “We’re clear that compliance with Scotland’s environmental rules is simply non-negotiable.

"That’s why we’re continuing our twin-track approach to ExxonMobil. In addition to continuing our monitoring across the responsible restart of the facility, we’re firmly focused on addressing the root causes of ‘unacceptable’ flaring.

“People rightly expect that their lives won’t be impacted by nearby industrial processes. In addition to requiring ExxonMobil Chemicals Limited and Shell U.K. Limited to install noise reducing flare tips, we’re finalising proposals requiring new ground flare capacity that will be planned, designed, built and safely integrated in the shortest period possible.

“Public partners have been working closely together regarding the restart. With regulatory, air quality and noise monitoring officers working to ensure a responsible and reliable restart, we’ll provide regular updates and publish monitoring information as quickly as possible on social media and www.sepa.org.uk/mossmorran . Useful information is also available via ExxonMobil Chemical Limited’s Mossmorran’s social media.

"Anyone who is concerned about pollution can use SEPA’s online reporting tool at www.sepa.org.uk/report available around the clock.”