Why Should Delaware Care?Over the past two years, the refinery on the outskirts of Delaware City has emitted hundreds of tons of hazardous air pollutants above permitted levels. But at the same time, Delaware regulators under Environmental Secretary Greg Patterson appear to be taking a stricter approach toward such violations, leading to a new legal challenge.
The Delaware City refinery has appealed a nearly $1 million fine that state regulators imposed earlier this year following what they called an “uncontrolled” release of air pollution.
The fine was the maximum amount the state could issue for violating environmental permits under a new law that increased penalties on industrial polluters…