Environmental and community groups are reviewing Colorado’s draft air permit for the Suncor East Plant, released by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division today. This is the first step the state has taken to address the permit deficiencies identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 2022, Cultivando, GreenLatinos, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhood Association filed a petition asking the EPA to object to the state’s renewal of the permit. The groups argued that Suncor’s history of violations required greater restrictions and that the state had not shown the permit would not violate national ambient air quality standards. They also argued that some modifications to the permit should have been treated as “major,” which require more restrictive emission control requirements.

In July 2023, the EPA partially granted the groups’ petition and ordered the state to evaluate changes to the permit. Under federal law, the Air Pollution Control Division had 90 days to strengthen the permit but it has only now taken the first step. This delay has given Suncor even more time to continue polluting under the deficient permit.

The groups are evaluating the changes made by the Division to Suncor’s permit to determine whether it meets the requirements set by the EPA. They remain committed to ensuring that the communities neighboring Suncor receive the strongest possible protection from air pollution that these permits can provide.