Marathon refinery to hold public meeting on chemical release update in Central El Paso

EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — More than two months after a chemical release at Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso refinery, the company is set to hold a public meeting to update the community on what happened and what has changed since.

Rep. Josh Acevedo, who represents parts of Central and Northeast El Paso, said residents have been waiting since August for detailed information and accountability.

“I hope that the community gets some sort of answer that is not going to be, we’re working with our regulators and sending information to TCEQ and to the EPA, that’s the constant answer that we get for everything, which is a non-answer,” Acevedo said.

An environmental report shows an incident on Aug. 4 led to the release of more than 15 tons of pollutants into the air.

Marathon officials have said they will address the situation at the meeting, including what substances were released, air monitoring results and the findings of an investigation.

The company has previously said it did everything to mitigate the situation and that it notified the city of El Paso and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Marathon also plans to outline any changes made to procedures and steps it has taken to improve how it notifies the community.

A previous community meeting was canceled when officials said they were responding to an operational issue.

Acevedo said the meeting is an opportunity for residents to press for answers.

“At the very least, this is the first time that they’re going to go in there with anybody that is not handpicked to be there,” Acevedo said.

“I think that we as El Pasoans need to show up and. Demand those answers from them, and at the very least, ask for transparency and accountability.”

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at Riverside High School.

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