SALT LAKE CITY — Construction began Tuesday on a new project to produce cleaner gasoline in Utah, and thereby improve the air quality.
The Andeavor refinery in Salt Lake City broke ground on a hydrotreater expansion project for lower sulphur Tier 3 gasoline.
Andeavor CEO Greg Goff says Tier 3 gasoline will make a big difference.
“When used in a new vehicle equipped with Tier 3 emission controls, the gasoline will help reduce emissions by 81 percent,” said Goff.
“They are leading the way, and other refineries will follow,” said Governor Gary Herbert at the event.
Alan Matheson with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality says Utah’s air quality is getting better, and this is another step in the right direction.
“Between 2002 and 2014, we added 600,000 people to the state. But during that time, we saw 30 percent reduction in total emissions,” said Matheson.
“As Utahns purchase vehicles, they ought to look at the smog rating. The higher that rating, the cleaner the vehicle. That makes a difference,” he said.
