Escobar asks Environmental Protection Agency to investigate Marathon refinery air permit compliance

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Monday, U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrators urging the agency to investigate last week's incident at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in El Paso.

According to environmental reports, tons of gases emitted from the refinery, which irritated residents' eyes and left a strong odor in parts of South-Central El Paso. Reports said refinery released three air contaminant compounds: 1,3-butadiene, propylene and sulfur dioxide.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said the conversion process used in petroleum refineries (Fluid Catalytic Cracker, or FCC) had a process upset, which shut down and resulted in emissions to flare. As a response, the FCC and other process units shut down.

Now, Rep. Escobar wants the EPA to investigate the refinery's compliance with its air permit and communication with the community and local officials.

She asked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason to send copies of inspection reports, violation notices and other records by Aug. 31. EPA Region 6 covers Texas and New Mexico, according to its website.

"The reported sulfur dioxide emissions alone were 3,591 times the permitted limit," Rep. Escobar wrote in her letter.

She also said local leaders like County Commissioner David Stout weren't told when the incident started. He learned what happened after reaching out to the refinery himself. City Representative Josh Acevedo also called on Marathon representatives to explain the situation to the city council.

"This apparent disconnect raises serious questions about Marathon’s compliance with federal requirements, its notification obligations, and the adequacy of its response to hazardous emissions," she wrote.

In her letter, Rep. Escobar asked the EPA to provide answers to these questions:

• Did Marathon violate any federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act or its Title V permit?
• When did Marathon notify EPA and TCEQ, and what information did it provide?
• Did Marathon follow its risk management plan triggered by the release of 1,3-Butadiene?
• Why did Marathon not notify local officials or the public? What corrective actions are being taken by the EPA, TCEQ, or Marathon Petroleum to ensure that local communities receive timely and transparent communication following incidents of unexpected emissions?
• What air monitoring was conducted during and after the incident, what pollutants were monitored, and what were the results?
• Has EPA independently evaluated the potential health impacts of the reported releases, particularly sulfur dioxide and 1,3-butadiene?
• What additional monitoring, investigation, or enforcement action does EPA believe is warranted?

"Residents of El Paso deserve timely and accurate information when hazardous pollutants are released into their community," Rep. Escobar said.

Rep. Escobar is seeking her fifth term as U.S. representative for Congressional District 16 in the November election. She faces Republican nominee Adam Bauman.