WEEK OF AUGUST 10, 2023
VOLUME 60 | ISSUE 1
GRINNING TIGER AT THE FAIR
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EPA again blocks air pollution permit for Suncor Federal agency bars state from giving green light BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN
Bridget Roundtree, one half of the Animal Crackers Conspiracy, is very flexible with her performances as a gymnast dancing and entertaining on August 3. She and performing partner Iain Gunn were featured performers along the Adams County Fair PHOTO BY BELEN WARD midway August 2-6 at Riverdale Regional Park. For more photos, see page 8.
VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | SPORTS: 22
The EPA’s Denver regional office is once again blocking a renewed state air pollution permit for the Suncor refinery in Commerce City, agreeing to objections from environmental groups that Colorado should crack down harder on carbon monoxide dangers and past plant modifications. Suncor has had numerous air and water pollution violations in recent years, and the regional Environmental Protection Agency had its own objections to Suncor permit renewals last year, ordering the state to make changes. After Colorado issued revisions, neighbors and environmental groups had the chance to make new objections. While Suncor’s Plant 2 will be allowed to continue producing petroleum products for Colorado and the region, state air pollution officials must now “resolve EPA’s objections” based on the environmental groups’ two petitions “before issuing a revised permit.” “Improving air quality for the underserved communities affected by harmful air emissions from the Suncor refinery is a shared priority for EPA and CDPHE,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. Becker is the former Democratic Speaker of the House for Colorado, and has placed an emphasis on carrying out environmental justice initiatives while at the EPA. SEE SUNCOR, P11
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