The MP for Windsor West is urging Detroit to reject Marathon Petroleum's request to store uncovered petroleum coke along the river.
Petroleum coke, also known as petcoke, is a carbon-rich solid material that derives from oil refining.
MP Brian Masse, the NDP's industry, Great Lakes and border critic, made a submission to the City of Detroit Building, Safety and Environmental Department on Tuesday to deny Marathon’s request to be exempted from complying with a requirement that bulk solid materials must be stored in fully enclosed containers.
“Marathon does not want to put a roof on its petroleum coke processing pit in Southwest Detroit, which would subject residents in the surrounding area, including Windsor, Ontario and Essex County in Canada, to unacceptable health and environmental risks,” Masse wrote in the submission.
Masse said petcoke, which a toxic substance that is carcinogenic, must be prevented from being exposed to humans and must be covered.
"Petcoke becoming aerosolized can impact the air quality in an area, such as southwest Detroit, which has some of the highest asthma and cancer rates in the United States," he added. "It was one of the primary reasons for passing the ordinance [city bylaw] in the first place.”
He said Marathon can afford to build a roof over the petcoke piles and follow the rules after having record profits in 2017.
Masse said Marathon has faced legal action three times, in 2005, 2014, and 2016, resulting in settlements but a gas leak at Marathon's Detroit refinery between February 1-3 shows that Marathon cannot be trusted to adequately regulate itself and protect the health and safety of the communities surrounding it or change its behaviour.
To make a submission to the City of Detroit click here.
Marathon Petroleum said it uses a variety of methods to effectively control dust. Click here to find out the many measures it has in place at its refinery to ensure dust emissions are controlled.