Citizens Can View Refinery Emissions Data Online; Groundbreaking Web Site is Result of Refinery/Environmental Group Collaboration.

Business Editors

ROSEMOUNT, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2001

The public now has easy access to understandable emissions data from Koch Petroleum Group L.P.'s Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount, thanks to a unique Web site launched today by Koch and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA).

Although the two organizations frequently have different points of view, they agreed to work together on this Web site in order to pioneer open access to information about how the refinery's operations impact the local environment. Previously, emissions data was generally available only in reports filed with regulatory agencies. MCEA found these reports to be large, complex and difficult to understand.

Environmental Defense (formerly the Environmental Defense Fund) and the American Lung Association of Minnesota are among the environmental and health groups praising the partnership and new Web site. "Koch and MCEA have developed a Web-based model for corporate environmental accountability and performance that should be widely replicated," said Lois Epstein, Senior Engineer, Environmental Defense. Gerald Orr, CEO of the American Lung Association of Minnesota said: "We congratulate MCEA and Koch for giving the public access to understandable information about emissions and their impact. We hope other companies will take similar steps to make their emissions data easily accessible to the public."

By logging on to www.kochpinebend.com, the public will be able to view data about the refinery's emissions and their impact. Additionally, they'll find a feature called "point/counterpoint" where Koch and MCEA air their differing views about information presented on the Web site. This openness and collaboration on a comprehensive emissions reporting Web site may be the first of its kind between industry and an environmental group, and sets a new standard for refineries.

"We are truly excited about what this Web site offers in terms of tracking Koch's environmental performance," said Peter Bachman, MCEA Executive Director. "We encourage other companies to begin transparent reporting on the Internet. We're convinced that full disclosure leads to pollution reductions. This will also give us a way to track Koch's progress on its pledge to reduce emissions by 50 percent in 5 years."

The Web site is the result of an unlikely collaboration that began over two years ago. MCEA experienced difficulty accessing and reviewing information about a proposed air emission permit for the Pine Bend refinery. And, MCEA wanted to know whether Koch was really going to implement change at the refinery in the aftermath of environmental problems a few summers ago. Meanwhile, Koch was interested in providing the public with a user-friendly Web site that would give visitors a complete picture of the refinery's environmental performance.

"This Web site is part of Koch's commitment to keep Minnesotans informed about activities at our refinery," said Jeff Wilkes, Vice President of Minnesota Operations, Koch Petroleum Group. "Visitors to the site will be able to track our progress toward our emission reduction goals and will hopefully leave with a better understanding of our efforts to achieve these reductions."

To ensure the accuracy of the information reported, Koch (in consultation with MCEA) contracted with the University of Minnesota to provide an independent calculation of emissions data using data and equations provided by Koch Petroleum Group, LP. The two University professors heading up the emissions verification process also serve on a panel of experts chosen by MCEA and Koch to assist in the development of the overall content of this Web site. The expert panel is comprised of seven recognized leaders in the fields of environmental health, air quality, wastewater treatment, chemical engineering, and pollution prevention. It includes four University of Minnesota professors, a state environmental official, an expert in pollution prevention, and a national research institute expert.

The Web site presents data using charts and graphs that provide context with other information -- for example, regulatory limits or comparing Koch to other facilities. Simply click to review emissions data on specific pollutants in three different reporting formats: historical data (5 or 10 years), comparison to other U.S. refineries, and comparison to other Minnesota industries. You can also review data on the environmental quality in the Pine Bend area over the last 5 or 10 years. The reports you can generate are based on data collected by regulatory agencies from monitoring stations that detect specific pollutants emitted by the refinery and other industries and vehicles in the area. You will also be able to track Koch's 50 percent emission reduction pledge and learn how reductions are occurring.

"At Koch, excellent environmental performance is one of our top priorities. We believe good environmental performance is good business," said Wilkes.

MCEA is a nonprofit organization using law, science, and research to protect Minnesota's natural resources, wildlife, and the health of its people. Founded in 1974, MCEA's offices are in St. Paul where its 13-member staff work on the following program areas: forestry; water quality; pesticides; regulatory reinvention; land use and transportation; stormwater; flood reduction; agricultural drainage; and legal and legislative advocacy.

Koch Petroleum Group is a major provider of transportation fuels used in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Its Pine Bend refinery employs more than 750 people. It is a subsidiary of Koch Industries, which is based in Wichita, Kansas. Koch Industries and its subsidiaries employ more than 11,000 people worldwide and are involved in virtually all phases of the oil and gas industry, as well as agriculture, chemicals, chemical technology products, energy services, asphalt products, metals and mineral services, real estate, and financial investments.

Editors Note: Correspondents wanting additional information are invited to join a news media teleconference at 3 p.m. EST  (2 p.m. CST) today. Participants should dial 1-888/455-0064. The password for the call is "MCEA/Koch," and the call leader is John Hofland. Koch Petroleum Group LP representatives Don Clay, vice president, environmental and regulatory affairs, and Mike Hansel, director, strategic planning and analysis, as well as Carol Wiessner, director, regulatory reinvention, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, will be available to answer questions about the new Web site.