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The Community Labor Refinery Tracking Committee was formed in August 1992 to address health and safety issues pertaining to the Sunoco Refinery in South Philadelphia(pictured to the right). With organizational help from Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund, CLRTC has become the leader in the fight for refinery safety and health in the Philadelphia region.

CLRTC is committed to addressing community health and environmental quality issues, specifically pertaining to the refinery, by working with refinery workers and community residents. CLRTC works to:
  • Educate the public about issues relating to refinery operations;
  • Reduce the use of toxics and lower emissions from the refinery;
  • Ensure health, safety, and quality of life through programs that include the community in decision-making; and
  • Establish safety mechanisms for workers and surrounding communities including emergency response.

CLRTC's strength is in its numbers! The more community members that speak out, the louder our voices will be. Membership with the CLRTC is FREE! Call today (215-640-8800) to find out how to make a difference in your neighborhood.

Meetings are held on the second TUESDAY of every month at 6:30 pm at the Mercy Wellness Center, 2821 Island Avenue.


      Board Members:
  • President - Joanne Rossi
  • Vice President - Al Caporali
  • Sarah Kurnes
  • Mable Mallard

13 Years of Community Activism!

For over a decade, CLRTC has fought for fair treatment of their community. According to Presidental Executive Order 12898 signed into law in 1994, "fair treatment means that no group of people including racial ethnic or socioeconomic groups will bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental impacts resulting from industrial, municipal and commercial activities or from the execution of federal, state and local programs and policies."


Sunoco Lawsuit and Consent Decree

In 1995, CLRTC filed a lawsuit against the Sunoco Refinery for repeated violations of the Clean Air Act. After 30 months of negotiations, CLRTC, the City of Philadelphia ,and Sunoco Refinery entered into a consent decree. Under the terms of this agreement, Sun would invest $5 million into upgrading their pollution control equipment, another $300,000 to purchase a community emergency notification system, and $200,000 was put into a fund for other community environmental projects. Since the consent decree was filed in 1997, the refinery has reduced emissions by 57%.


Sunoco Permit Application

In the winter of 2001, the Sunoco Refinery applied for a permit to increase its production and emissions. CLRTC organized a public hearing to express its concern over the production increase and to demand that no more emissions be permitted in their neighborhoods. Sunoco did receive their permit to increase production, but because of public outcry, they were forced to maintain, and in some cases lower, their current emission levels!


Florida Power and Light

During the summer of 2002, Florida Power & Light applied to open shop in South Philadelphia and supply power to the Sunoco Refinery, putting a further burden on the environmental health of the community. CLRTC and many other local organizations opposed this plan, and in the end, FPL withdrew its application.


Air Monitor Station

CLRTC lobbied City Council President Anna Verna and got her to support the installation of a fine particulate matter monitor at the proposed air station. Fine particulates are particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns which accumlate deep in the lungs and can lead to premature death, increased respiratory symptoms and disease, chronic bronchitis, and decreased lung function, particularly in children and individuals with asthma.


Emerson Dump

During the winter of 2003, an illegal landfill under the Platt Bridge was discovered smoldering, sending noxious fumes into the community. In 1990, Harold Emerson had received permission, but no formal permit, to store construction debris there temporarily. Years later he was ordered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to clean up the site and fined $5 million.

In March 2003, CLRTC's Bucket Brigade took an air pollution sample at the site, finding elevated levels of benzene, chloromethane, and tetrachlorethene. This information was widely distributed to City Council and DEP. Soon after, the City agreed to clean up the site at all costs. In July 2003, DEP gave the Ccity a $2 million check to help fund the clean up.


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Community Labor Refinery Tracking Committee
A Project of Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund
100 N. 17th Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-640-8800 * webmaster@pabucketbrigade.org