Exposing Exxon Mobil's Pollution: The Real Cost Of Their Business

ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded oil and gas companies in the world, has long been under scrutiny for its contribution to environmental pollution and climate change. Despite investing in scientific research and technology to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, the company has faced criticism and legal proceedings for its role in the climate crisis. Notably, ExxonMobil's US oil refineries have been reported to emit significantly higher levels of lung-damaging soot compared to similarly-sized facilities operated by competitors. With a history of denying and downplaying the dangers of climate change, the company has become a central figure in the debate surrounding corporate responsibility and the transition towards cleaner energy sources.

ExxonMobil's US oil refineries produce more lung-damaging soot than competitors

ExxonMobil's US oil refineries have been found to produce more lung-damaging soot than competitors. In 2021, three of Exxon's refineries topped the list of US polluters, with Exxon Mobil's oil refineries pumping out far more lung-damaging soot than similarly-sized facilities operated by rivals. The company's three largest refineries—two in Texas and one in Louisiana—are the nation's top three emitters of small particulate matter, with an average of 80 pounds of emissions per hour. This is eight times the average rate of the seven other refineries on the top-ten list, some of which are larger than Exxon's plants.

Exxon's 517,000-barrel-per-day Baton Rouge plant in Louisiana produces the most soot, with emissions of small particulate matter hitting a peak of 350 pounds per hour during an independent test conducted in January 2020. The test, conducted by an engineering firm hired by Exxon, was to demonstrate regulatory compliance. The emissions averaged 255 pounds per hour during the test, exceeding the limit imposed by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) of 234 pounds per hour. This is one of the highest limits in the country, and much higher than the limits set for similarly-sized refineries in Louisiana and other states, which are closer to 50 pounds per hour.

The high levels of pollution caused by Exxon's refineries have a disproportionate impact on the health of poor and minority communities, which are often located near industrial sites. A third of the residents in the predominantly Black neighborhoods near Exxon's Baton Rouge refinery reported that they either had breathing problems or knew someone who did. Small particulate matter is among the most harmful pollutants as it can bond with other toxins, infiltrate the blood stream, and damage the heart, lungs, and nervous system. According to a recent Harvard University study, a small increase in long-term exposure to small particulate matter also leads to a large increase in COVID-19 death rates.

The dispute between the US oil industry and federal environmental officials over how to measure soot pollution has resulted in this form of pollution going unregulated for decades. The EPA regulates solid forms of soot, but condensable soot is gaseous in smokestacks and harder to quantify. The EPA's current test for condensable soot, called Method 202, has been contested by the industry, which claims it can overstate the amount of condensable soot emitted by refineries under certain conditions. The EPA has acknowledged that pollution levels could be overestimated using Method 202, but revisions to the method have not fully addressed industry concerns.

ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge Refinery in Louisiana is allowed higher pollution levels than other state refineries

ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge Refinery in Louisiana is the sixth-largest oil refinery in the United States and the seventeenth-largest in the world. With an input capacity of 540,000 barrels per day as of January 1, 2020, the refinery is a major emitter of greenhouse gases and is required to report its complete emissions to the EPA annually.

The Baton Rouge Refinery has consistently been ranked as one of the top polluters among US refineries. Exxon's three refineries together averaged emissions of 80 pounds per hour, with the Baton Rouge refinery being the top polluter, averaging 138 pounds per hour. The plant's emissions of small particulate matter hit a peak of 350 pounds per hour during an independent test conducted in January 2020, exceeding the limit set by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

The high pollution levels at the Baton Rouge Refinery have been attributed to inadequate spending by Exxon on emission-cutting measures. The company has faced criticism for its environmental performance and has been pressured by activist groups to address climate change concerns. The refinery is exempt from certain standards due to an EPA rule for "cat crackers" built before 1976, and the LDEQ has set higher pollution limits for this refinery compared to other state refineries.

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, an environmental group, has highlighted the poor maintenance of the refinery, citing a 2012 EPA inspection that identified long-standing flaws in maintenance. The facility has experienced multiple accidents, including a fire in November 2022 that injured four workers. Exxon has invested in modernizing and expanding the Baton Rouge Refinery, with plans to increase exports of clean fuels and potentially develop a biofuels project at the site.

ExxonMobil has been accused of covering up evidence of human-caused global warming

ExxonMobil, one of the top polluters among American corporations, has faced significant criticism for its stance and impact on global warming. Notably, the company has been accused of covering up evidence of human-caused global warming.

In 2015, investigative journalists uncovered internal company memos indicating that ExxonMobil had known since the late 1970s that its fossil fuel products could lead to global warming, with "dramatic environmental effects" by 2050. This was further supported by peer-reviewed studies published by ExxonMobil scientists, acknowledging that climate change is real and human-caused. However, in contrast, the company's public communications primarily promoted doubt and denial regarding the existence of climate change.

Harvard researchers, in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, analyzed ExxonMobil's internal research and found that the company's scientists had accurately predicted global warming trends due to carbon dioxide emissions with "shocking skill and accuracy." ExxonMobil's models, developed between 1977 and 2003, projected that fossil fuel emissions would lead to 0.20 degrees Celsius of global warming per decade, which has been proven largely accurate.

Despite this internal knowledge, ExxonMobil actively worked to deny the reality of climate change. The company's prolonged denial sparked the creation of the "Exxon Knew" movement, aiming to hold ExxonMobil accountable for its role in obscuring the truth about global warming. In 2022, U.S. House committees investigated ExxonMobil, along with other fossil fuel companies, for engaging in a disinformation campaign to obscure the role of fossil fuels in causing global warming.

While ExxonMobil officially acknowledged the existence of climate change in 2014, the company continues to face scrutiny for its impact on the environment. ExxonMobil has made commitments to advancing climate solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with goals to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. However, critics argue that the company's actions do not align with the urgency required to address the climate crisis.

ExxonMobil does not have an ambition to reach 'net zero' or net-zero-aligned short, medium, and long-term GHG reduction targets

ExxonMobil, one of the top polluters in the US, has been criticized for its lack of commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and its insufficient actions to address climate change. The company has not demonstrated a clear ambition to reach net-zero emissions or align its short, medium, and long-term goals with net-zero targets.

While ExxonMobil has announced ambitions for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, these targets have been described as "greenwashing" by some organizations. The company's plans include reducing methane emissions, eliminating routine flaring, and investing in lower-emission initiatives. However, critics argue that these targets are inconsistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals and do not adequately address the company's vast climate impacts.

ExxonMobil's approach has been characterized as setting "carbon intensity" targets rather than committing to absolute emissions reductions. This means that even if the company meets its intensity reduction goals, associated absolute emissions could still increase. For example, the company disclosed Scope 3 emissions of 730 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019, equivalent to the emissions of Canada. Despite claiming to have avoided or eliminated a significant portion of GHG emissions since 2000, this represents a small fraction of its total emissions.

Furthermore, ExxonMobil's projections assume a target of 2°C, which falls short of the global consensus to limit temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. The company's reliance on unproven "negative emissions" technology and continued investment in oil and gas production have drawn criticism. ExxonMobil's selective use of climate scenarios and failure to align its capital allocation with climate goals have led to concerns about greenwashing and inadequate actions to address climate change.

In summary, while ExxonMobil has announced net-zero ambitions, these targets have been criticized as insufficient and inconsistent with broader climate goals. The company's approach to "carbon intensity" targets, selective use of scenarios, and lack of commitment to absolute emissions reductions contribute to the perception of greenwashing. ExxonMobil's actions fall short of demonstrating a genuine ambition to reach net-zero emissions or align its short, medium, and long-term goals with net-zero targets.

ExxonMobil has invested $1.5 billion to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operating facilities

ExxonMobil has been taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and improve efficiency. Notably, the company has invested $1.5 billion towards enhancing efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its operating facilities. This investment is part of a broader $15 billion commitment to a lower-carbon future, aiming to accelerate efforts to reduce emissions from its facilities.

ExxonMobil's plans include a focus on carbon capture and storage, low-carbon hydrogen production, advanced biofuels, and energy-efficient manufacturing. The company has expressed interest in supporting a large-scale carbon capture and storage hub in the Houston industrial area, with the potential to capture about 100 million metric tons of CO2 annually from refineries and power generation facilities. Additionally, ExxonMobil is working on expanding carbon capture and storage capacity at its natural gas and helium production site in Wyoming, where it has already captured more CO2 than any other company using this technology.

In addition to carbon capture initiatives, ExxonMobil is also committed to reducing emissions across its Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical operations. The company plans to reduce Upstream GHG emissions intensity by 15-20%, methane emissions intensity by 40-50%, and decrease flaring intensity by 35-45% compared to 2016 levels. These reductions are expected to result in a 30% decrease in absolute greenhouse gas emissions across the Upstream business.

ExxonMobil's Downstream and Chemical operations are also undergoing improvements, with a focus on increasing energy efficiency and applying new technologies to reduce emissions. For example, the company has deployed a redesigned hydrocracking system in Rotterdam, which has won an award for its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ExxonMobil is also producing renewable diesel at its Strathcona refinery in Edmonton, which generates 70% fewer carbon emissions than conventional diesel.

Despite these efforts, ExxonMobil has faced criticism for the pollution caused by its refineries. According to regulatory documents and a Reuters analysis, ExxonMobil's U.S. oil refineries emit significantly more lung-damaging soot than similarly-sized rival facilities. ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge Refinery in Louisiana, in particular, has been noted to operate with higher pollution levels permitted by state regulators.

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