POLLUTION

intensi ed state scrutiny of the re nery as it seeks permit renewals, and some have called for the outright closure of the sprawling plant, the only petroleum re nery in Colorado.

“We’re grateful the EPA is taking the concerns of community and community-based organizations seriously, but nes aren’t working with these people,” said Ean Tafoya, director of the nonpro t Colorado GreenLatinos, one of the petitioners. “We’ve said for a very long time Suncor continues to be out of compliance, and enforcement isn’t enough, they just keep paying to play. It’s time for us to begin planning the closure of Suncor.”

“We are happy that the EPA took an important step toward holding Suncor accountable for its toxic air pollution,” said Ian Coghill, senior attorney with Earthjustice. “For too long, impacted communities have su ered at the hands of the re nery and the state has failed to hold it accountable. is must result in the state taking a meaningful look at Suncor’s permitting and nally reining in its pollution.” e EPA’s demands in e ect reset the clock on assessing Suncor’s expired permit, which has been under scrutiny for years. Depending on how much the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment rewrites the Plant 2 permit, the EPA said, “the revisions may involve additional public notice and comment.” e EPA would have 45 days to review how the state handled EPA objections, then the public would have another 60-day petition period to make new objections. e EPA’s order directs Colorado o cials to “evaluate whether additional operational requirements

Coloradans managed while the entire re nery was shut down for repairs early in 2023 after a re, Tafoya said. “ e local economy survived. We’re grateful we have these tools and the EPA appears to be listening,” he said.

Suncor rst sought to renew the Plant 2 permit in 2010. e state allows some industries to keep operating under expired permits, and says it enforces the requirements of the old permit in the meantime.