ExxonMobil loses accredited license for Altona refinery

ExxonMobil has had its license revoked for the Altona oil refinery in the state of Victoria, Australia, due to environmental breaches. According to Alan Bailey, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil, “the accredited license provided a degree of freedom from detailed EPA scrutiny of changes that are made within the refinery”. The company remains licensed to operate the facility and there will be no impact on fuel production, although it will no longer be entitled to a reduced license fee and the ability to carry out certain work without approval. Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) took the decision after “a number of incidents at the site, all with the potential for environmental and community risk,” according to Chief Executive Officer of the state’s EPA John Merritt, although he did not provide further details. (June 3, 2010)