Air emissions are most effectively managed at the point of discharge, such as at a refinery or chemical plant. ExxonMobil engineers and scientists work closely with universities and independent laboratories to better understand the impact of industrial emissions on regional air pollution. For example, this cooperation led to more cost-effective control strategies that will help improve the air quality in the Houston and Beaumont, Texas, metropolitan areas.
As a result of this activity, ExxonMobil is pursuing a 75 percent reduction in NOx emissions form our Houston-area facilities over the next five years. We are also installing state-of-the art emission-scrubbing equipment at our Beaumont Refinery to achieve a 90 percent reduction in SO2 by 2004.
ExxonMobil has been leading an industry-wide initiative to eliminate lead from gasoline in Africa through the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association. We partnered with the World Bank to host and sponsor the first regional conference in Senegal, which led to the Dakar Declaration, an agreement to phase out leaded gasoline in sub-Saharan Africa by 2005.
ExxonMobil continues to work with the World Bank and other industry and government representatives for the various African countries on this important initiative.