State Drafts New Suncor Permit To Strengthen Environmental Protections

COLORADO — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has released a draft permit for Plants 1 and 3 at Suncor's refinery in Commerce City. The department is seeking public comment on this draft permit, which officials say will strengthen environmental protections.

According to a news release, the permit will require new air pollution monitoring, testing, recordkeeping and reporting methods.

Here are some of the protections state officials said are included in the permit:

• The Air Pollution Control Division is reinforcing new state law requirements for fenceline monitoring of benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen cyanide in the permit.
• The Air Pollution Control Division is reinforcing new state law requirements for enhanced emergency notification requirements for permitted facilities.
• The Air Pollution Control Division is reinforcing new regulations for Regional Haze limitations. Suncor will be required to reduce its emissions to ensure clear skies are maintained in National Parks and Wilderness Areas.
• The Air Pollution Control Division is reinforcing new federal standards that require Suncor to use technologies that reduce toxic air emissions as much as possible.

Health and environment officials are opening the draft permit up for public feedback for a 60-day window, according to the news release. The department is prepared to make changes to the permit based on public comments, prioritizing feedback from people in the North Denver and Commerce City area.

Officials anticipate requests for public hearings and are prepared to accommodate the community with such requests, according to the news release. After the public comment period is concluded, the department will send a revised permit, along with public comments, to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval. The EPA will then have 45 days to review the permit.

"Our goal is to make sure that Suncor adheres to the highest environmental and public health standards possible, and we know that the facility has fallen short of that goal in recent years," said Michael Ogletree, director of the department's Air Pollution Control Division. "Enacting the new requirements in this air permit will help the division use its powers to hold Suncor accountable, but we also want to hear from the community. Your voice matters and your ideas will help shape how we hold Suncor accountable."