Home / Environment / Texas Commission Orders Hearing on Marathon Refinery Emissions
Texas Commission Orders Hearing on Marathon Refinery Emissions
3 Jun
Summary
- TCEQ granted a contested hearing on Marathon Petroleum's air quality permit.
- This is the first such hearing in the refinery's 97-year history.
- Concerns include emissions impact, nuisance, and modeling adequacy.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has ordered a contested hearing regarding the air quality permit renewal for Marathon Petroleum Corp.'s El Paso refinery. This significant decision, voted on by TCEQ commissioners on Wednesday, June 3, in Austin, is the first of its kind in the refinery's 97-year operational history.
El Paso County leaders successfully argued for the hearing, highlighting potential impacts on public property, including Ascarate Park. Concerns raised involve emissions, potential air nuisances, and questions about whether air quality analysis and dispersion modeling were conducted properly. State Representative Vince Perez also voiced concerns about the refinery's emissions record, noting past violations and unauthorized releases.
The refinery, which employs approximately 400 people and produces 133,000 barrels daily, is located on 500 acres in East-Central El Paso. While the hearing date is yet to be set, it must occur within 180 days. The aim is to facilitate a negotiated resolution regarding emissions, rather than immediate closure, acknowledging the refinery's significant economic role in the region.
