Ensuring Community Safety Through Real-Time Air Monitoring

Fenceline Monitoring at Phillips 66 Denver Terminal

At Phillips 66's Denver Terminal in Colorado, transparent environmental monitoring was prioritized as part of a proactive commitment to public health and safety, aligning with the state's House Bill 21-1189 (HB21-1189), which mandates real-time tracking of benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen cyanide. The law not only required monitoring for pollutants but also emphasized quick reporting to the public. Phillips 66, understanding the weight of these requirements, sought a partner who could help them meet these challenges while prioritizing public health and community trust. That's when they turned to Montrose Environmental Group to go beyond meeting regulations and help promote safety in the communities they serve.

Ensuring Safety and Trust Through Real-Time Monitoring

For Phillips 66, the key to meeting the regulatory requirements wasn't just about compliance—it was about protecting the people who live near their Denver Terminal. While the terminal didn't emit hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen cyanide, the law still required advanced remote sensing technology to monitor these substances. With its proximity to the facility, the community deserved reassurance that air quality was being actively and transparently managed. This meant installing a system that could detect hazardous compounds and provide real-time data to everyone—residents, regulators, and employees.

Montrose stepped in with a solution that combined cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to transparency. The team customized an open path monitoring system that used UV Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-DOAS) and Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), offering continuous detection of these hazardous compounds in real-time with alert levels. Monitoring all paths throughout and surrounding the facility, this technology provided 99.7% certainty in detection limits, giving the community peace of mind that they were being actively protected.

But Montrose didn't stop there. To make this data accessible, they developed a bilingual, public-facing website, allowing anyone to access real-time readings of pollutants and weather data. In a world where many regulatory reports are difficult to understand, this platform made it easy for people to see what was happening in their neighborhood and understand how it could affect their health. By providing clear, actionable information, Montrose helped build a bridge of trust between Phillips 66 and the local community.

A Rapid Response System that Puts People First

When it comes to environmental monitoring, speed is essential, and Montrose understood that. If any exceedance of hazardous compounds was detected, the data had to be validated within one hour and reported to regulatory agencies. This wasn't just a legal requirement—it was a matter of ensuring the safety of residents in the surrounding areas.

Montrose's team was available 24/7 to provide immediate support. If there was a concern, they were on the ground, working with Phillips 66 to assess the situation, address any issues, and keep the community informed. This rapid response system was designed with one goal in mind: to protect the people living nearby. In moments of concern, Montrose ensured that residents weren't left in the dark, immediately providing notifications about any air quality issues and what steps were being taken to resolve them.

The bilingual platform was another key part of this effort, ensuring the entire community—regardless of language—had the same access to critical information, by Phillips 66 and Montrose empowered residents to take care of themselves and their families by including health and safety data for each monitored compound, fostering an environment of shared responsibility.

Building Trust and a Safer Future for the Community

Phillips 66 not only met all the regulatory requirements of HB21-1189 but also set a new standard for what environmental monitoring could look like—one that puts people first. Through the transparency of real-time monitoring and clear, precise, accessible data, the Denver Terminal became a model for companies engaging with communities to ensure safety and compliance.

With continued support from Montrose, Phillips 66 is committed to maintaining leadership in environmental transparency and safety, reinforcing their dedication to the community and the environment. This partnership is a testament to their focus on innovation, responsibility, and trust, setting a new benchmark for corporate accountability. Phillips 66 and Montrose have created a blueprint for environmental monitoring that combines regulatory compliance with community care, paving the way for a future grounded in transparency and responsibility.

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