June 16, 2005

STATEMENT ON THE SUNOCO AIR QUAILITY CONSENT DECREE

Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director:

“The fact that Sunoco will be installing new equipment at its refineries to improve air quality is good news for local residents. The fact that they are doing so only after being cited for violations and threatened with lawsuits is extremely disappointing.

“Sunoco has a long track record of ignoring environmental regulations. Any fines levied against it have to be substantial in order to make an impact. I’m not entirely confident that the penalty aspect of this agreement is large enough to convince the company to take public health and safety requirements to heart in the future.”

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BACKGROUND: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other state and city environmental agencies entered into a federal consent agreement with Sunoco Inc today for environmental violations at the company’s Marcus Hook and Philadelphia refineries, as well as refineries in Tulsa, OK and Toledo, OH. For more information, jump HERE.