DOVER – In response to the news that Delaware City Refining Company (DCRC) will be emitting sulfur dioxide at a significantly higher level than normal for several weeks due to repairs on equipment at its coker carbon monoxide boiler, House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, whose district includes the refinery, issued the following statement:
“It is so incredibly disappointing – and extremely unacceptable – that the Delaware City refinery has once again put our community in harm’s way. By many accounts, this was not an unavoidable accident, but instead the result of decisions made by the refinery, including the decision to delay necessary maintenance despite clear warnings and opportunities to act sooner.
“I’m looking at this situation not only as a lawmaker, but as a parent raising my children just a few miles away. Families in our community deserve to feel safe in their homes and confident that their health and safety are being protected – period, end of story.
“Last year, the state implemented measures to help reduce any negative impacts on nearby residents, including mandating that the refinery have air monitors surrounding the facility. But that is only one piece of the puzzle. To that end, I appreciate all of the work DNREC and Secretary Greg Patterson have done to address this situation and their willingness to hold the refinery accountable.
“I sincerely hope the refinery takes these actions seriously and that this is the last time I have to issue a statement like this, because we should not have to continue dealing with preventable environmental and public health risks.”
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