Sector Overview

The petroleum refining sector accounts for 2.6% of total U.S. emissions, totaling 164 MMT CO2e, with 136 facilities classified as high-emitting. Decarbonization pathways include energy efficiency upgrades, fuel-switching to alternatives like renewable diesel and biogas, and the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), particularly at fluid catalytic crackers. To support these transitions, the document recommends that states implement supplemental tax incentives for CCUS and clean hydrogen, expand accelerated depreciation for low-carbon retrofits, and provide capacity-building support such as permitting assistance and workforce training.

• The U.S. petroleum refining sector is responsible for 164 MMT CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions, which represents 2.6% of total U.S. emissions, with 136 facilities identified as high-emitting (defined as greater than 0.025 MMT CO2e/year).
• Decarbonization can be achieved through three primary technology pathways: energy efficiency and process upgrades (such as heat integration and steam systems), substituting fuel mixes with lower-carbon alternatives like biogas or renewable diesel, and implementing CCUS at major emission points like fluid catalytic crackers.
• To improve the viability of decarbonization projects, the document recommends that states layer supplemental tax incentives on top of the federal 45Q credit for CCUS and clean hydrogen, expand accelerated depreciation for clean technologies, and offer permitting assistance and planning grants.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Sector Overview. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175354/CATF-Petroleum-Refining-Factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Sector Overview. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175354/CATF-Petroleum-Refining-Factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Sector Overview |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175354/CATF-Petroleum-Refining-Factsheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendsector, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Sector Overview}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175354/CATF-Petroleum-Refining-Factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }