Sinclair Has A History With The DEQ

Thursday, September 6th 2007, 9:00 pm

By: News On 6

Sinclair has grabbed its share of headlines, but not all of it has been positive. Sinclair has been in Tulsa since 1983. Since then it's had its share of sins according to the Department of Environmental Quality. News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports on the companyâ€™s history.

With a billion dollars and hundreds of jobs on the way, Sinclair is on the move up, but there have been times when some wished it would move out.

Back in 2003 the refinery had some crying foul, or at least turning their noses up. A flare at the refinery stopped burning and sent gases into the air, creating a stink that made two people sick. That raised the cloud of suspicion and the Department of Environmental Quality started investigating.

In March of 2004 the agency served search warrants at the refinery after residents again complained of a foul odor from the plant. One year later an explosion at the plant lit the Tulsa sky. Again, a large flare drum was to blame, but no one was hurt.

In 2005 Sinclair decided it was time for an upgrade, pumping $125 million into improvements at the refinery, but its past would surface again. In 2006 the Company pleaded guilty to violating the federal Clean Water Act. The company and two of its employees admitted they manipulated waste water flows into the Arkansas River during testing from 2002 to 2004. The company agreed to pay $5.5 million in penalties. In 2007 the two former employees were sentenced to six months of home detention and three years probation.

That is just a summary of what's in the DEQ report. To read the entire 103 page report, click the links below.

For Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Violations for the Sinclair for the year 2004, click here.

For a compliance evaluation inspection of Sinclair Oil Corporation from May 2004 to June 2004, click here.

For Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Violations for the Sinclair for the year 2005, click here.

For Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Violations for the Sinclair for the year 2007, click here.

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