Suncor Energy will begin a two-year, $16 million project to decommission a 75-year-old flare stack at its Commerce City refinery and reroute gases to a more efficient system. The 100-foot-tall structure, built in 1950, will be replaced by connecting pipelines to the facility’s taller 250-foot gasoline benzene reduction flare installed in 2012. Pending state approval, construction could start later this year.
Taller Flare to Disperse Pollutants Further
The newer flare’s increased height—2.5 times taller than the existing stack—will better disperse emissions including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides away from nearby neighborhoods. Suncor officials project the change will reduce some air quality impacts while maintaining critical safety functions. “The visible flame indicates proper gas combustion through an engineered system,” explained April Maestas, the refinery’s engineering director.
Community Concerns Persist Amid Ongoing Violations
The project comes as Suncor faces continued scrutiny over pollution violations, including a $10.5 million penalty in 2024 for air permit breaches. Nearby residents in Commerce City and north Denver neighborhoods report health issues including asthma and cancer clusters they attribute to refinery emissions. Colorado’s 2021 Environmental Justice Act now requires Suncor to conduct public engagement, prompting recent virtual community meetings about the flare project.
Strategic Timing During Planned Maintenance
Key construction phases will align with the refinery’s March 2026 maintenance shutdown, when workers will tie new gas lines into the modern flare system. The full transition is scheduled for 2027, contingent on regulatory approvals. Suncor notes this project complements other recent investments totaling hundreds of millions in pollution control upgrades at Colorado’s sole oil refinery.
Balancing Operational Needs and Environmental Goals
While not requesting revised emissions limits, Suncor maintains the flare modernization will enhance operational efficiency and safety at the 98,000-barrel-per-day facility. The change reflects the company’s broader strategy to address environmental concerns while maintaining critical fuel production for the region, including summer-grade reformulated gasoline required under air quality regulations.
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