Delegation Demands Answers From Motiva

Washington, D.C. -Saying potential water quality impacts must be studied to the highest degree, Delaware’s Congressional Delegation today wrote Motiva President John Boles urging Motiva to provide the specifics on how the anti-pollution technology it wants to install at its Delaware City plant would affect Delaware’s environment and public health. Motiva has applied for a permit through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to install a non-regenerative scrubber to control air pollution, but the Delegation wants to ensure that this clean air technology does not reduce water quality in a manner that would harm human health. The Delegation is demanding that Motiva turn over all relevant information to DNREC so they can evaluate the potential impact on water quality. “We strongly believe that sound science should govern the decision-making in this process, yet that process is handicapped when Motiva fails to make the data on water quality impacts available to DNREC officials,” Sens. Biden and Carper and Congressman Castle wrote. According to the Delegation, DNREC will not issue a water quality permit for Motiva to install a non-regenerative scrubber if the proposed discharges of mercury, nickel or other metals pose a real threat to the environment. In addition, the Delegation has been assured that the Environmental Protection Agency will not amend a consent decree allowing for the operation of the non-regenerative scrubbers until after water discharge data has been thoroughly analyzed. The Delegation supports DNREC’s request for detailed environmental impact information and said Motiva must be prepared to discuss any water discharge concerns and possible solutions with DNREC and the EPA. Delegation Letter to Motiva