Expansion plans at three Utah refineries have prompted local concern and a community meeting.

"We feel this is a critical point for the community to get involved, to have their voices heard," said Cecilee Price-Huish, president of the Davis County Community Coalition, one of the groups organizing the forum to discuss the links between the refineries and air pollution.

"We know it because we live here: There are health and economic consequences of poor air quality," she said. "We don't just see it, we feel it."

Chevron is making upgrades to its refinery, and Holly recently announced plans to expand its refinery; both are located at the border of Salt Lake and Davis counties. Tesoro submitted its proposal to the Utah Division of Air Quality last year, and the division already has signaled its intention to approve the expansion.

Although at least one of the companies has been invited to send a representative to the meeting, there is no plan to include refineries' perspective on the meeting agenda, said Price-Huish.

Instead, the public meeting will include discussions about the project proposals, air pollution and the impact of more trucks. The Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, a co-sponsor of the event, will discuss the health effects of pollution. Speakers from the League of Women Voters and the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club are also on the agenda, she said. —

Community meeting

Davis County Community Coalition and the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment have set their information meeting for 7 p.m. Thursday at Bountiful City Hall, 790 S. 100 East.