11. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

An upcoming lawsuit calls for an air pollution crackdown at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery

An upcoming lawsuit calls for an air pollution crackdown at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

An upcoming lawsuit calls for an air pollution crackdown at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery  Colorado Public Radio

An upcoming lawsuit calls for an air pollution crackdown at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery

Coalition of Environmental Groups Plans to Sue Suncor Energy for Air Pollution Violations

A coalition of environmental groups has announced its intention to sue Suncor Energy for chronic air pollution violations at its Commerce City refinery. The groups allege that state and federal regulators have failed to protect nearby residents.

Concerns Over Public Health and Government Trust

“Our health is not a joke. We’ve learned we can’t trust our government over and over again, so we need to make sure the law is enforced,” said Lucy Molina, a community activist who lives near the refinery and works with climate advocacy group 350 Colorado.

Documentation of Pollution Violations

Attorneys with Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, have sent an intent-to-sue notice to Suncor. They claim to have documented at least 9,209 instances over the last five years when the facility exceeded pollution limits, exposing residents to impermissible levels of various pollutants.

Suncor Refinery: Colorado’s Only Refinery

The Suncor facility is Colorado’s only refinery, processing 98,000 barrels of oil per day. It is located in a heavily Latino neighborhood just north of Denver. A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that it has more unplanned pollution releases and malfunctions compared to similar facilities across the country. Due to its location and poor environmental track record, the refinery has become a top target for Colorado’s environmental justice movement.

Environmental Groups Leading the Lawsuit

Earthjustice is leading the case on behalf of the Sierra Club, 350 Colorado, and GreenLatinos. The notice has been filed with Suncor and relevant state and local agencies, paving the way for an official lawsuit to be submitted in federal court after a 60-day waiting period.

Potential Outcomes of the Lawsuit

If filed, the lawsuit would seek to force Suncor to comply with the U.S. Clean Air Act. This act allows citizens to sue if state and federal authorities fail to stop ongoing pollution violations. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could order Suncor to make fixes at the refinery and impose fines. The environmental groups may also recover attorney fees incurred during the litigation process.

Implications for Regulatory Authorities

If successful, this outcome would essentially overrule the authority of the EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the two agencies responsible for regulating the facility.

Responses from Suncor Energy and Regulatory Agencies

Representatives for Suncor Energy and the state health and environment agency have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the potential lawsuit. The U.S. EPA Region 8 spokesperson stated that the agency is reviewing the notice and continues to focus on improving air quality in Commerce City and north Denver.

Past Actions Against Suncor

The state has previously taken action against Suncor due to ongoing air pollution issues at the refinery. In February, state environmental regulators announced that the company had agreed to pay $10.5 million to settle air pollution violations. However, a significant portion of this amount went towards improving the refinery itself, with only $2.5 million serving as a direct penalty for the violations.

Estimates of Potential Penalties

Earthjustice estimates that the state could have sought a direct penalty of over $30 million. By opting for looser enforcement, the state allows the company to continue committing air pollution violations without significant consequences.

Citizen Lawsuit Provision

Under the citizen lawsuit provision of the U.S. Clean Air Act, the state or federal government could file its own lawsuit during the 60-day waiting period to hold the company accountable. However, Earthjustice attorney Ian Coghill believes it is unlikely that regulators will pursue legal action, especially since the environmental groups’ lawsuit addresses violations covered in the 2023 settlement between Colorado and Suncor.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. – Instances of pollution violations at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery
– Exposed residents to impermissible levels of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. – Chronic air pollution violations at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery
– Unplanned pollution releases and malfunctions at the refinery
– Poor environmental track record of the refinery
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. – Lawsuit filed by environmental groups against Suncor Energy for chronic air pollution violations
– Allegation of failure by state and federal regulators to protect residents
– Use of legal action to enforce the law

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The chronic air pollution violations at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery and the exposure of residents to impermissible levels of pollutants are connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The chronic air pollution violations, unplanned pollution releases, and poor environmental track record of the refinery are connected to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The lawsuit filed by environmental groups against Suncor Energy and the allegation of failure by state and federal regulators to protect residents highlight issues related to SDG 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

The chronic air pollution violations and exposure of residents to impermissible levels of pollutants at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery align with Target 3.9 of SDG 3.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

The chronic air pollution violations, unplanned pollution releases, and poor environmental track record of the refinery are relevant to Target 11.6 of SDG 11.

Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

The lawsuit filed by environmental groups against Suncor Energy and the allegation of failure by state and federal regulators to protect residents highlight the need for responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making, as stated in Target 16.7 of SDG 16.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

  • – Instances of pollution violations at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery
  • – Exposed residents to impermissible levels of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide
  • – Unplanned pollution releases and malfunctions at the refinery
  • – Poor environmental track record of the refinery
  • – Lawsuit filed by environmental groups against Suncor Energy for chronic air pollution violations
  • – Allegation of failure by state and federal regulators to protect residents
  • – Use of legal action to enforce the law

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. – Instances of pollution violations at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery
– Exposed residents to impermissible levels of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. – Chronic air pollution violations at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City refinery
– Unplanned pollution releases and malfunctions at the refinery
– Poor environmental track record of the refinery
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. – Lawsuit filed by environmental groups against Suncor Energy for chronic air pollution violations
– Allegation of failure by state and federal regulators to protect residents
– Use of legal action to enforce the law

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: cpr.org

 

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