Philadelphia Weekly

The Sunoco refinery in Southwest Philadelphia routinely experiences accidental chemical releases, yet reports on the type of chemicals emitted and the duration of the release are not accessible to the public, contends an environmental group that studied oil refineries across the country.

A report released last week by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) criticizes the fact that details about accidents, also known as "upsets," aren't available for public review. Many regulatory agencies across the country require refineries to file this kind of information electronically so that it can be posted in an online database. But Philadelphia Air Management Services (AMS), the city agency responsible for air quality, allows Sunoco to report upset emissions via a simple paper form or over the phone.

"I've attempted to review files at AMS, and it's crazy," says Christine Knapp, program organizer for the local branch of the Clean Water Fund. "Half the time you can't find what you're looking for."

Al Caporali, vice president for the Community Labor Refinery Tracking Committee (CLRTC) in Philadelphia, agrees that AMS' lax reporting requirements are a problem. "Good local records don't exist," he says. "I live in the community [near the refinery], and I have no access to information."

AMS is exploring ways to convert its current emissions database into a viewable Web-based format, says agency director Morris Fine. Sunoco is the top polluter in the city. According to its 2001 Toxic Release Inventory, Sunoco's Southwest Philadelphia refinery emits at least 32 different toxic chemicals--totaling more than 200,000 pounds of toxins released into the air annually, says the CLRTC.

The company didn't even begin reporting information about the duration or toxicity of upset releases until last year, after AMS issued a violation notice.

"When the EIP study was done, the Sunoco refinery was neglecting these permit requirements," Fine acknowledges. "But as of September 2003 the company must submit a report to this office within two days." And judging by the frequency of the reports coming in, Sunoco is complying, Fine adds.

Caporali characterizes AMS as "understaffed and underfunded," and charges that the agency lacks the "political will" to stand up to the powerful corporation. Sunoco contributes money to campaign coffers, and the company is the main sponsor of Philadelphia's high-profile July 4th celebration, Caporali points out. "Public health shouldn't be a political issue," he says.

Fine adamantly disagrees that his agency shies away from hitting up Sunoco with violations when they're warranted. "Sometimes enforcement action against Sunoco takes a long time because the issues are complicated, but we never hold back," he says.

Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery employs more than 900 people and can process 330,000 barrels of crude oil into fuels daily. The off-the-books pollution caused by unreported and unpenalized accidents is at least as harmful as routine emissions, says EIP attorney Kelly Haragan.

In addition, the EIP report says the predominantly low-income and minority communities surrounding many refineries often experience higher rates of cancer, asthma and other health problems.

Sunoco spokesperson John McCann was unable to comment by press time.

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Gwen Shaffer (gshaffer@philadelphia weekly.com) writes about the city's capital budget on p. 18.