Colorado authorities are probing the reported possible release of sulfur dioxide at a refinery near Denver that experienced a power failure late last week.
It occurred at the Suncor Energy, Inc. plant in Commerce City where plumes of orange and black smoke were sent into the air when the power failure resulted in a shut-down of the plant.
Company spokeswoman Nicole Fisher described the plumes as uncombusted hydrocarbon. But a Denver Fire Captain said Suncor notified authorities it was sulfur dioxide, a gas created by the burning of sulfur. The emissions prompted health officials to tell people living with a 1.5 mile radius of the plant to remain indoors.
A Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment official said they’re unsure if the smoke was hazardous, but Suncor officials reassured them the release was brief and didn’t pose any immediate threat to nearby people.
The operation is a 98,000-barrel-a-day refinery which produces gasoline, diesel fuel and asphalt.
