By: Laurie Anderson, Colorado State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: September 28, 2022
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0174
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Hi! My name is Laurie Anderson and I am a field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force in Colorado. Thank you for this opportunity to share with you today.
I support the proposed EPA Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention rule that will strengthen the Risk Management Program to help better protect the health and safety of communities living near chemical and petrochemical facilities.
I am a mom of five kids living in Broomfield, which is a northern suburb of Denver in Colorado. Although there are many facilities covered under this rule, I have focused my comments on oil and gas refineries. As I pass the Suncor refinery, also located north of Denver, the stench spewing from this facility is an ongoing reminder of the families that live in close proximity and the health and safety burdens these most-impacted residents carry on a daily basis.
Suncor has a history of violating Colorado’s pollution limits. In 2020, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced a $9 million settlement agreement with Suncor Energy to resolve more than 100 air pollution violations committed by this refinery. Included was a clay-like catalyst that spewed from the refinery causing ash to cover cars and homes in several surrounding communities. However, following the settlement, a malfunction of the same unit led to the release of a yellow, clay-like catalyst in the air over several surrounding communities. Additionally, the refinery broke a 12.8-ton limit for hydrogen cyanide, an invisible toxic gas with no alert to nearby residents or county emergency managers. This is simply too much for the fenceline communities to bear.
Beyond the immediate safety concerns, we know that exposure to harmful chemicals can worsen respiratory and other health conditions.
Prevention of accidents and chemical releases must be the top priority. However, EPA should also ensure there is a mechanism in place to require corrective action to prevent incidents and accidents.
Just like so many other Risk Management Program facilities, the Suncor refinery is located near disproportionately impacted communities, which are already overburdened by highway pollution and other chemical facilities. This area is also facing the potential of large-scale oil and gas development which would undoubtedly add to the cumulative impact of pollution. It is critical that the Risk Management Program requires analysis of consequences to local communities before siting new facilities and takes into account the cumulative impacts of other industrial polluters in the community.
Residents living near these facilities are counting on you. I urge the EPA to move swiftly and strengthen the Risk Management Program to help protect the health and safety of children and their communities.