2 local plants ranked worst

Published October 9, 2008 A local environmental group ranked two Brazoria County petrochemical plants as the top polluters in the greater Houston area, which is home to 71 plants. Dow Chemical Co. took the top spot on the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention’s study with a weighted score of 111.5 based on four categories, while ConocoPhillips came in second with a weighted score 106. Officials for both plants refuted the association’s study, which was released Wednesday and includes compliance history in its methodology. “Since 2003, the data collected consistently indicates emissions to be among the best among similar-sized plants in the Houston area,” said Regina Slaydon, spokeswoman for ConocoPhillips Sweeny Refinery. The environmental commission checks air emissions from Dow Chemical Co. using a monitoring... [read full story]