Earth Protect Blog

Limit water-pollution permit to Suncor Energy on Wednesday that restricts the amount of “forever chemicals” and other harmful pollutants the company’s Commerce City refinery can discharge into Sand Creek, an important source of water for drinking and agricultural irrigation in the state. 

Officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment touted the new permit as more stringent than previous water-pollution permits that have regulated the oil refinery. It’s the first time the refinery’s permit will limit the amount of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — also known as PFAS, or “forever chemicals” — that are discharged into Sand Creek. The permit also will add first time limitations on salt, arsenic and a group of compounds known as BTEX that are dumped into the water. State officials said the permit’s conditions were crafted after countless meetings with environmental advocates and people who live near the refinery. SUNCOR State to limit discharge of chemicals By Steve Peoples and Meg Kinnard