What regulatory body oversees environmental compliance in refineries?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing environmental compliance in refineries. The EPA's mission includes protecting human health and the environment by enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. In the context of refineries, the agency administers laws related to air quality, water quality, and waste management, ensuring that operations meet established environmental standards. This includes monitoring emissions, regulating pollution discharges, and requiring permits for various activities that may impact the environment.

Other regulatory bodies, such as OSHA and FERC, have different areas of focus. OSHA primarily ensures workplace safety and health regulations, while FERC regulates the energy industry in terms of electricity, natural gas, and oil transportation but does not deal specifically with environmental compliance. The NRC is focused on nuclear safety and regulation, which is unrelated to the operations of refineries. Thus, the EPA is directly aligned with the environmental responsibilities linked to refinery operations.