Suncor Plant: A Polluting Hazard?

Suncor is the only petroleum refinery in Colorado and is considered a “major source” of air pollution. The company has a history of violating its pollution permits, contaminating the air and water in and around the Denver Metro Area, and negatively impacting public health and safety. In 2020, Suncor paid $9 million as part of a settlement for its repeated air quality violations and toxic emissions. Despite this, the company has continued to pollute, reporting over 49 malfunctions and 500 pollutant spikes above its permit limits in two years. An EPA report in 2023 found that the Suncor refinery had more air pollution incidents compared to other refineries, and that it may experience more air quality issues due to inadequacies in maintenance, testing, and inspection. The report also confirmed that the area surrounding the refinery had some of the worst air quality in the nation.

Suncor's air pollution

Suncor is a petroleum refinery in Commerce City, Colorado, and is considered a "major source" of air pollution. Suncor's operations create pollution that can impact air quality and public health. Some of the air pollutants Suncor produces include nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and air toxics such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. These pollutants can have negative health impacts on nearby communities, including asthma, cancer, birth defects, heart attacks, and neurological problems.

Suncor is required to maintain Title V operating permits under the federal Clean Air Act because of its status as a major source of air pollution. However, Suncor has a history of violating its pollution permits and has been fined for its non-compliance. In 2020, the company paid $9 million as part of a settlement for its repeated air quality violations and ongoing toxic emissions. Despite this, Suncor continues to experience air pollution incidents, with a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analysis in 2023 finding that Suncor had more air quality incidents compared to other refineries. The analysis attributed this to inadequacies in preventative maintenance, testing, and inspection of liquid level control systems and electrical equipment.

Community members and organizations such as Moms Clean Air Force have called for stronger action to be taken against Suncor, including the rejection of its pollution permits and the implementation of measures to reduce air pollution. In February 2024, the CDPHE finalized a $10.5 million enforcement package with Suncor, requiring the company to make improvements to reduce air pollution and benefit the community. While Suncor is taking steps to address its air pollution issues, there is still a long way to go to ensure the health and safety of nearby residents.

Suncor's water pollution

Suncor Energy's Colorado operations have been a significant source of water pollution, with the company repeatedly discharging pollutants into Sand Creek, which merges with the South Platte River—a source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people in Colorado and an essential supply for agriculture. The main discharge point for these pollutants is a pipe called Outfall 20, which releases up to 3.5 million gallons of water per day, containing harmful chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), benzene, arsenic, and other toxic compounds. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, as well as endocrine disruption in humans.

In addition to Sand Creek, Suncor's pollution has impacted other water sources in the area. A study by Westwater Hydrology LLC found that Suncor's discharges from Outfall 020 contributed to PFAS pollution in the South Platte River and river water used by several municipalities, including Commerce City, Brighton, Thornton, and Aurora. The study also suggested that PFAS pollution in the South Platte River could be taken up by crops, creating another exposure route for humans and animals.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has faced criticism for its handling of Suncor's water pollution. While the department has implemented measures to reduce PFAS discharges, such as requiring Suncor to install a temporary treatment system in October 2021, environmentalists and local government water managers have called for stricter conditions and increased testing in Suncor's water permits. In 2023, the department issued a new water-pollution permit that restricts the amount of PFAS and other harmful pollutants Suncor can discharge into Sand Creek. However, there are concerns about the timeline for Suncor to comply with the new limits and the need for stronger enforcement to protect the health of surrounding communities.

Suncor's history of water pollution in Colorado has raised concerns among residents and environmental advocates. The company has faced scrutiny for its repeated violations of state-issued water-quality permits, with reports of oily sheens blanketing Sand Creek. In 2019, an "operational issue" resulted in a release of yellowish chemical dust that affected the entire region surrounding the facility. Suncor's response was criticized as insufficient, and the company has paid millions in settlements for its air quality violations and toxic emissions. The intense scrutiny of Suncor's operations has led to increased public pressure, with calls for stronger regulations and an end to the company's toxic legacy.

Suncor's pollution permits

Suncor, the only petroleum refinery in Colorado, is a "major source" of air pollution. It is required to hold Title V operating permits under the federal Clean Air Act, which are intended to prioritise public health protections. However, these permits also give Suncor the right to pollute. Suncor has been out of compliance with the CAA for over a decade, with the state allowing it to operate with an expired air permit for its Plant 2 for over 10 years.

In 2022, an environmental group's study found that Suncor's Commerce City refinery violated pollution emission limits for 900 hours in the three months it was shut down after a fire. The company avoided fines due to loopholes and exemptions in its permits. Suncor has a history of pollution violations, with over 500 spikes in pollutants above its permit limits reported between 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the company paid $9 million as part of a settlement for its repeated air quality violations and ongoing toxic emissions.

Despite Suncor's poor track record, Colorado air quality regulators renewed the operating permits for two of its three refining plants in 2024. The new permits include orders for training, control equipment, and real-time monitoring. Environmental watchdogs criticised the rules as insufficient, arguing that the state should not have renewed the permits given Suncor's history of non-compliance.

The permits issued in 2024 expand the requirements for measuring air pollution at the refinery and in the surrounding community. This is intended to enhance transparency and accountability. However, critics argue that Colorado continues to rely on estimates of toxin emissions rather than requiring reliable measurements.

In addition to air pollution, Suncor is also required to monitor certain toxic chemicals in its wastewater and groundwater, as per its water quality permits.

Health impacts of Suncor's pollution

Suncor is the only petroleum refinery in Colorado and is considered a “major source” of air pollution. Its operations create pollution that impacts air quality and public health.

The health impacts of Suncor's pollution are significant and far-reaching. The company's own reports indicate over 1,000 emissions exceedances or violations of emissions standards over a five-year period from 2019 to 2023. These violations have resulted in toxic emissions that pose a risk to nearby communities.

The pollutants released by Suncor have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, asthma, birth defects, heart attacks, strokes, and neurological problems. The company's failure to adequately address these issues has led to lawsuits and fines, with environmental groups suing Suncor for over 9,000 alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.

In addition to the direct health impacts, Suncor's pollution has contributed to environmental racism and has disproportionately affected tribal and rural communities in Colorado. The company's proximity to densely populated areas means that the surrounding communities are constantly exposed to toxic emissions, with higher-than-normal air pollution levels detected on multiple occasions.

Furthermore, Suncor's pollution has also led to operational issues, such as the release of a yellowish chemical dust that blanketed the entire region and forced nearby schools to shelter in place.

While steps have been taken to address Suncor's pollution, including the implementation of monitoring systems and the finalization of a $10.5 million enforcement package to reduce air pollution, the company's ongoing violations continue to pose a risk to the health and well-being of nearby residents.

Suncor's history of pollution

Suncor is the only petroleum refinery in Colorado and is considered a “major source” of air pollution. State and federal regulations require Suncor to obtain Title V operating permits under the Clean Air Act. However, Suncor has a history of violating these permits and polluting the air and water in and around the Denver Metro Area.

In December 2019, Suncor experienced an "operational issue" where a yellowish chemical dust blanketed the region surrounding its facility. Nearby schools had to shelter in place, and the company offered free car washes as compensation. This incident highlighted the ongoing harm that Suncor has inflicted on surrounding communities. In 2020, the company paid $9 million as part of a settlement for its repeated air quality violations and toxic emissions.

Suncor's operations release various pollutants into the air, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and air toxics such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. These pollutants have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer, asthma, birth defects, heart attacks, strokes, and neurological problems.

Despite efforts by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate and address Suncor's pollution, the company continues to face criticism for its environmental impact. In 2024, the CDPHE finalized a $10.5 million enforcement package with Suncor, requiring improvements to reduce air pollution. Additionally, Suncor has been criticized for operating with an expired air permit for its Plant 2 for over ten years.

The impact of Suncor's pollution extends beyond the immediate vicinity of the refinery. A 2023 EPA examination revealed that the area around the refinery had some of the worst air quality in the nation. Suncor's inadequate maintenance, testing, and inspection of liquid level control systems and electrical equipment have contributed to a higher frequency of air pollution incidents compared to other refineries.

In conclusion, Suncor has a significant history of pollution and non-compliance with environmental regulations. The company's operations have led to detrimental effects on public health and safety, and continued efforts are necessary to address and mitigate the impact of their pollution.

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