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Congresswoman Escobar Urges TCEQ to Provide More Information on Marathon Refinery Incident

El Paso, TX, August 26, 2026 | Abbey Thompson (202-225-4831)

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Chairwoman Brooke Paup requesting that TCEQ answer questions about the Marathon Refinery Incident from earlier this month. This letter to the TCEQ follows the Congresswoman's call on the EPA to investigate the incident.

The full letter can be found here or below:

Dear Chairwoman Paup:
I write as a follow up to my letter to the EPA regarding the Marathon Petroleum emissions event on August 4–5, 2026 and the refinery’s compliance with its air permit and its communication with surrounding communities and local officials.

Initial reports filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) showed that the release of pollutants was approximately 8,897.9 pounds of propylene, 862 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 19.1 pounds of 1,3-butadiene, all exceeding permitted allowances. New reports filed with TCEQ show that emissions from Marathon Petroleum continued for three days and that pollutants emitted included 10,066 pounds of propylene and a little under 1,600 pounds of sulfur dioxide, more than the initial reports and all exceeding permitted allowances. Exposures to these gases are both an environmental and public health concern.

Marathon’s compliance with federal requirements, its notification obligations, and the adequacy of its response to hazardous emissions remain a concern. I ask that TCEQ provide answers to the following questions as soon as possible:
  • Did Marathon violate any federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act or its Title V permit?
  • When did Marathon notify TCEQ, and what information did it provide?
  • Did Marathon follow its risk management plan triggered by the release of 1,3-Butadiene?
  • Why did Marathon not notify local officials or the public? What corrective actions are being taken by TCEQ or Marathon Petroleum to ensure that local communities receive timely and transparent communication following incidents of unexpected emissions?
  • What air monitoring was conducted during and after the incident, what pollutants were monitored, and what were the results?
  • Has TCEQ independently evaluated the potential health impacts of the reported releases, particularly sulfur dioxide and 1,3-butadiene?
  • What additional monitoring, investigation, or enforcement action does TCEQ believe is warranted?
El Paso residents need fast, transparent communication when dangerous pollutants threaten their community. It is crucial that TCEQ holds Marathon fully accountable for violations and implements safeguards to stop these incidents from happening again. Please ensure my office is kept in the loop on all investigation and enforcement proceedings related to the Marathon refinery.

Thank you for your swift attention to this matter, and I look forward to working together to protect El Paso and El Pasoans.
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