"A political deal that paved the way for a private equity firm to take over the East Coast's largest refinery has been challenged by Philadelphia-area activists."

"Clean Air Council has sued the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection over an alleged sweetheart arrangement under which Carlyle Group was able to acquire the Philadelphia refinery from Sunoco Inc. with fast-tracked air permits to pump out as much as 330,000 barrels of product per day.

The deal was wrought at the highest level earlier this year when the White House, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett's office, state regulators and the Energy Department become concerned about Sunoco's plans for closing the refining hub."

Colin Sullivan reports for EnergyWire October 10, 2012. [2]