Exxon Mobil's Joliet Refinery Shuts Furnace, Filings Show

Exxon Mobil Corp.'s Joliet, Illinois, refinery released gases to a flare because a furnace shut down, according to regulatory filings.

The release began late yesterday when the incinerator unit failed, Exxon said in a filing with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The 238,000-barrel-a-day plant released nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxide, according to a report with the National Response Center.

Exxon didn't immediately respond to a message left on its media line.

U.S. refineries must notify the response center if they release hazardous substances in excess of reportable quantities, according to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund.