EPA tightened refinery regs. Why did emissions rise?

At Western Washington University located near Seattle, Troy Abel said he has “zero confidence” that stronger standards alone can be trusted to reduce health risks.

Environmental regulations “are only as good as their enforcement,” said Abel, a professor of environmental policy who has found that emissions at some oil refineries in the state have grown more toxic even while dropping in quantity. “And you will find less stringent rules enforcement in some states versus others.”