DETROIT – Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) released the following statement regarding yet another incident at the Marathon Oil Refinery in Detroit. On Thursday, an oil vapor leak caused roads to be closed around the refinery and nearby workers to be evacuated. This incident follows recent threats to public health from Marathon, including a February incident where strong odors that could be smelled across the region caused residents to experience various illnesses, an incident last October when a large flaring event occurred due to the burn off of excessive gas and liquids, and a 2017 EPA violation that resulted in a paltry $62,000 fine for the company.

“Marathon is a prime example of corporate polluters continuing to choose profit over safeguards for our public health. It is time to say enough is enough of Marathon’s constant disregard of the health and safety of residents who live, work, and visit the surrounding communities. Marathon has perpetrated numerous incidents detrimental to our communities and must be held accountable – they clearly cannot be trusted to protect our health. I look forward to discussing the need to hold Marathon and other entities who poison our community accountable and solutions to make our communities breathe and live free at the upcoming congressional field hearing I am hosting with other members of Congress, experts, and grassroots activists here in Detroit.”

This congressional field hearing on air and water quality that was scheduled before this incident will take place on Monday, September 16th from 2-4 p.m. at Kemeny Recreation Center in Detroit on South Fort Street. Congresswoman Tlaib, Vice Chair of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Environment, will be hosting the hearing.

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