A letter released Wednesday has shown that the Environmental Protection Agency in the US is investigating whether Colorado’s regulation of air pollution from industrial facilities discriminates against Hispanic residents and other racial minorities.
Advocates say that the Suncor refinery too often malfunctions, spiking emissions, that the State of Colorado rarely denies permits to polluters, even in areas where harmful ozone already exceeds federal standards.
In the letter, however, Federal investigators say they will scrutinize the state’s oversight of Colorado’s biggest polluters including the Suncor oil refinery in North Denver where Molina lives, and whether the effect of that pollution on residents is discriminatory.
Suncor did not respond to a request for comment.
Read also: Britain’s Met Office says 2022 set to be UK’s warmest yet
Responding, the chair of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce board of directors and an environmental compliance attorney, John Jacus said it is already harder for oil and gas companies to get their air permits in Colorado than in some other energy-producing states.
He said recent allegations that the state’s permit review process was faulty had the effect of slowing air permitting, a blow to business.
“It would be really good for air quality to shut everything down, but that’s not good for society,” Jacus said, adding there needed to be a balance between environmental protection and economic activity.
The EPA launched its investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It has been going on since March but went little noticed until Wednesday’s letter, which explains its scope. The Act allows the EPA to negotiate agreements with states to promote equity. The Biden administration has stepped up its enforcement of environmental discrimination.
Colorado officials said they welcome the EPA review, and more community participation and are reviewing their permitting policies to ensure they are focused on environmental justice.
“We’ve always prioritized the health and well-being of every Coloradan no matter their zip code, but we know we have even more to do,” said Trisha Oeth, our Director of Environmental Health and Protection in a statement.
But the EPA has found those priorities lacking at times.
The agency scrutinized the state’s handling of Suncor, which is Colorado’s only oil refinery and is a major emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
Story was adapted from AP.
