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Since the 1940s, the Chevron refinery in North Salt Lake has been a part of the capital city’s skyline. However, the EPA’s updated compliance data lists the historic facility as having “significant violations” to the Clean Air Act (CAA) as of Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. However, the state found no evidence of non-compliance.
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ToggleAccording to an EPA report obtained by ABC4.com, the Chevron refinery emitted almost 290,000 pounds of pollutants into the atmosphere in 2024.
The largest specific pollutants include benzene (almost 40,000 pounds), hexane (over 15,000 pounds), and propylene (over 15,000 pounds).
Most recent data show the facility also released over 490,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023. The refinery’s greenhouse gas emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
On Sept. 20, 2021, Chevron was fined approximately $650,000 by the EPA for violating a section of the CAA that details the “regulation of fuels — motor vehicle and engine fuels.” Records show the facility remains in a state of “non-compliance.”
ABC4.com reached out to the EPA directly who indicated the information was correct and pointed to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for details about the violations.
In a statement to ABC4.com, Chevron denied any major violation of the CAA.
“We are not aware of a major Clean Air Act (CAA) violation at the Chevron Refinery in North Salt Lake and believe any record to the contrary is in error,” the statement reads.
According to an inspection report from May 5, 2025, by the Utah DEQ, the facility was found to be in compliance with state emissions standards. Four previous reports determine the facility to be compliant as well.
EPA records also show multiple violations to the Clean Water Act.
Like most refineries, Chevron Salt Lake City releases pollutants into the water. Chevron’s discharged materials go into an oil drain canal to the Great Salt Lake.
Data shows Chevron exceeded their allotted water pollutant amount on three different occasions since 2022.
One report details an excess of a water pollutant called “Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)” by 137% in a five-day average in 2022. Another excess discharge of BOD by 77% is listed as occurring in May of 2025.
Chevron responded to the reports in the following statement:
“CWA data for Chevron Salt Lake in ECHO is accurate. On Dec. 5, 2022, Jan. 10, 2023, and May 22, 2025, Chevron monitoring discovered exceedances of its [Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] permit and followed reporting procedures to the Utah Division of Water Quality. The refinery investigated each exceedance, identified corrective action to prevent recurrence, and normal plant performance was restored.
The protection of people, assets, communities, and the environment is our highest priority as a company. The Chevron Salt Lake Refinery has made substantial investment in pollution control equipment that has enabled the refinery to reduce criteria pollutant emissions by 88% between 1990 and 2021.”
The refinery has invested millions of dollars since 1972 in reducing sulfur emissions. In 2017, Chevron committed to a shift to producing Tier 3 fuels, which enable vehicles to reduce certain harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides and sulfur.
“The refinery met its commitment and we’re proud that these fuels have been available at Chevron and Texaco stations throughout the state since 2020,” Chevron told ABC4.com.
The company benefits from an infrastructure tax credit from the state of Utah which was created to accelerate the production of Tier 3 fuels. According to the Utah Office of Energy Development, ever refinery in the state is required to produce Tier 3 fuels under a 2020 law.
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