The Chevron Refinery has a history of fires, according to residents. He has worked as an online coordinator and, before that, a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines. Provide mechanisms for federal, state and local agency operational coordination, sharing of data (including safety indicator data), and joint accident prevention activities. In March 2021, a fire at Cilacap gasoline storage facility at the largest oil refinery on the main island of Java prompted the evacuation of 80 nearby residents and injured at least 20 people. This process shall use established qualitative, quantitative, and/or semi-quantitative methods such as Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA). This section shall require users to identify carbon steel piping circuits at risk to contain low-silicon components by following the requirements detailed in API RP 939-C: Guidelines for Avoiding Sulfidation (Sulfidic) Corrosion Failures in Oil Refineries (pursuant to 2012-03-I-CA-R26(a)) and API RP 578: Material Verification Program for New and Existing Alloy Piping Systems (pursuant to 2012-03-I-CA-R29). We need state authority to increase @AirDistrict fine& penalties. For piping circuits identified to meet the specifications detailed in 2012-03-I-CA-R26(a), require users to either (1) enact a program to inspect every component within the piping circuit once, known as 100 percent component inspection (per the requirements established pursuant to recommendation 2012-03-I-CA-R28(c)), or (2) replace the identified at-risk carbon steel piping with a steel alloy that is more resistant to sulfidation corrosion. He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications. By 1915, the refinery spread across 435 acres (176 ha), employed 1,700 workers, and had a capacity of 60,000 barrels (9,500 m 3) a day. . This oversight committee shall: a. From my front porch on 12th Street, I could see the fire, Robinson said. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Our team did go out to the site and run tests, he said before referencing the afternoons light southerly winds that dissipated most of the smoke within 30 to 45 minutes. pic.twitter.com/aQTM8dxlfa, John Gioia (@supejohngioia) August 10, 2021, Chevron tells @Cal_OES the refinery is releasing sulfur dioxide, acknowledges this was unplanned and says the release is ongoing. Around 6:25 p.m., reports of smoke plumes over the refinery drew multiple posts to social media. Here is the correct one: https://t.co/07Y6hJYVu2Thanks @insights724 for pointing that out. James Wiseman, leadership genius? RICHMOND An unspecified equipment issue at the Chevron refinery led to flaring Thursday evening, officials said, with smoke visible for miles around the facility. The company also linked to a flaring fact sheet for more information. Chevron must GO!. Kat Lee, a Richmond resident and activist with the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, said she remembers watching the news of the 2012 explosion from her aunts house in San Leandro, and worrying about the effects the black plume of smoke could have on her mother and sister, then a 2-year-old with asthma. Chase DiFeliciantonio is a reporter at The San Francisco Chronicle on the Transformation team, where he covers tech culture, workplace safety and labor issues in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and beyond. Reference API RP 939-C: Guidelines for Avoiding Sulfidation (Sulfidic) Corrosion Failures in Oil Refineries when discussing that nonsilicon-killed carbon steel is susceptible to sulfidation corrosion; and. "Seriously?!! At all California Chevron U.S. refineries, report leading and lagging process safety indicators, such as the action item completion status of recommendations from damage mechanism hazard reviews, to the federal, state, and local regulatory agencies that have chemical release prevention authority. In a statement Sunday, Chevron spokesman Brian Hubinger said the refinery was experiencing intermittent flaring due to a process unit upset. (Richmond Our Power via Bay City News). "The Chevron refinery in Richmond is sending gases to its flares,@CoCoHealth confirms," Ted Goldberg, a KQED reporter shared on Twitter, referring to Contra Costa Health Services, the county public health services department. Chevron Richmond refinery flare visible in East, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Info stolen in Oakland ransomware attack set to be released, Map: Track this weekends rain in the Bay Area, Chevron Richmond refinery flare visible in East Bay. Yes, that's a toucan flying around Walnut Creek, Last chance to see: Bay Bridge lights turn off on Sunday. Around 6:25 p.m., reports of. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. RICHMOND An equipment issue Tuesday at the Chevron refinery led to clouds of black smoke billowing into Bay Area skies. Draymond Green spent his first NBA check here, 2 Montana SB jerseys sold at record-breaking prices, Get rid of Black History Month, Draymond Green says, Purdy elbow surgery could happen next week, Jake Paul takes first boxing defeat by split decision. At a minimum, this program shall: a. He also floated ideas like Chevron putting money into an industrial risk bond that would pay for damage to the city and community the refinery caused. Chevron Richmond officials did not immediately respond to a request for information about the incident, but sent a hazardous-materials spill report to the state Office of Emergency Services. e. Require users to follow the minimum leak response guidance establishedinAPI RP 2001: Fire Protection in Refineries, developed in response to recommendation 2012-03-I-CA-R31. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. But on Saturday a group of community members and activists marched through Richmond to the refinery to commemorate the event, demanding an end to fossil fuel dependence and the dominance the refinery has had over the city for more than 100 years. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider. Include requirements for inherently safer systems analysis to be automatically triggered for all Management of Change and Process Hazard Analysis reviews, prior to the construction of new process, process unit rebuilds, significant process repairs and in the development of corrective actions from incident investigation recommendations. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. When you operate industry in an urban environment, there needs to be precautions to protect life.. pic.twitter.com/9mPWfx6Fbs, Contra Costa Health Services (@CoCoHealth) August 10, 2021, 1-Hr #timelapse from @AlertWildfire's Nichol Knob 1 Camera showing the progress of the smoke plume coming from the Chevron Refinery in Richmond, CA. The Richmond Our Power Coalition commemorates the 2012 Chevron refinery explosion. "RP states an unplanned upset occurred releasing an unknown amount of SO2 into the atmosphere," a statement noted. Protesters march to the Chevron Refinery in Richmond on Saturday. A protester marches to the Chevron refinery in Richmond on Saturday, marking 10 years since an explosion at the refinery. In July, the Bay Area Air Quality Management Districts boardvoted to requireChevron Richmond Refinery and a separate refinery in Martinez to use wet gas scrubbers to clean up hazardous particulate matter. RICHMOND A process upset unit at the Chevron refinery Sunday sent flames, smoke and foul odors into rain-soaked West Contra Costa County skies. 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Palo Alto: Woman killed in single-vehicle motorcycle crash, California extends Bay Area tax deadlines to match IRS, Two hospitalized after man seen walking while on fire at UC Berkeley, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. @TedrickG @AirDistrict @supejohngioia @MayorTomButt pic.twitter.com/JoHKp72Mkz, Gretchen Takes Her Shots (@gbdonart) August 10, 2021, Major flaring occurring at the Chevron Richmond refinery now. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Residents memories of a leak that sent hundreds of gallons of oil and water into San Francisco Bay this February are still fresh. Will Bay Bridge go dark forever? We expect industry to operate at the highest level with no room for error, because error causes harm to life, Gioia told this news organization last February. According to @CCCounty HazMat there has been flaring at Chevron due to a process upset. Monitor and confirm the effective implementation of the damage mechanism hazard review program (2012-03-I-CA-R1 and 2012-03-I-CA-R2), so that all necessary mechanical integrity work at the Chevron Richmond Refinery is identified and recommendations are completed in a timely way. Chevron again will need to explain to the community why the Richmond refinery is worth the risks that accompany it. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Anyone with questions may call the refinerys general number at 510-242-2000, ask about specific noises or odors at 510-242-2127, or email richmondrefineryinfo@chevron.com. Require the documented use of inherently safer systems analysis and the hierarchy of controls to the greatest extent feasible in establishing safeguards for identified process hazards. Develop a tracking system to monitor the progress of implementing these selected practices and guidance to completion. Chevron needs to pay its fair share, Martinez said. An August 6, 2012, release of flammable vapor led to a fire at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California. We need Governor Newsom and the California Air Resources Board to say no to Big Oils carbon capture scams and dirty hydrogen projects, the Richmond Our Power Coalition said in a news release about Saturdays actions. Include requirements for inherently safer systems analysis to be automatically triggered for all Management of Change and Process Hazard Analysis reviews, prior to the construction of new processes, process unit rebuilds, significant process repairs, and in the development of corrective actions from incident investigation recommendations. RICHMOND An unspecified equipment issue at the Chevron refinery led to flaring Thursday evening, officials said, with smoke visible for miles around the facility. ", "Air District inspectors are on scene investigating and we are working to find the root cause of the smoke in addition to any potential air quality violations.". Ensure the effective implementation of the damage mechanism hazard review program (2012-03-I-CA-R1 and 2012-03-I-CA-R2), so that all necessary mechanical integrity work at the Chevron Richmond Refinery is identified and recommendations are completed in a timely way. The county did not activate its community warning system alert, and there were no plans to ask residents to shelter in place as a result, Sawyer said, adding that county staff were sending a crew to monitor conditions near the refinery on Thursday evening and that officials may ask Chevron to provide a report explaining what triggered the incident. I posted the wrong incident report above. He has worked as an online coordinator and, before that, a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines. Around 3 p.m. Contra. Establish a multi-agency process safety regulatory program for all California oil refineries to improve the public accountability, transparency, and performance of chemical accident prevention and mechanical integrity programs. George Kelly is a breaking news reporter for the Bay Area News Group's East Bay Times and Mercury News. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications.George Kelly is a breaking news reporter for the Bay Area News Group's East Bay Times and Mercury News. Lee said she hoped the march would help hold Chevron accountable, and highlight the need to transition to clean energy sources like solar power. Between 2010-2012, refinery shutdowns caused by fires at three West Coast oil refineries helped drive up the cost of fuel to over $4.00 per gallon. This review shall be an integral part of the process hazard analysis (PHA) cycle and shall be conducted on all covered processes, piping circuits and equipment. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A Richmond city public-safety alert sent at. Revise API RP 578: Material Verification Program for New and Existing Alloy Piping Systems, to require users to establish and implement a program to identify carbon steel piping circuits that are susceptible to sulfidation corrosionand may contain low-silicon components. How 'deluded' Putin thought Ukraine invasion would break up Nato & have West bowing down to Russia, leaked docs show, Man had sex with his wife on bollard after fuming neighbour placed it in cul-de-sac in protest during parking row, 'Bubbly' nightclub worker, 31, killed after her Audi crashed into a bridge on her way home from work, Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department said on Twitter, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). View our online Press Pack. According to this news organizations reporting, the refinery saw multiple flaring reports within the last year, including this May and last August and November. Today, the event is a footnote of Bay Area history. Based on the findings in this report, enhance and restructure Californias process safety management (PSM) regulations for petroleum refineries by including the following goal-setting attributes: a. Revise API RP 571: Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry to: a. I posted the wrong incident report above. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. Initial Notification: On April 10, 1989, there was an explosion and fire at Chevron's hydrocarbon cracking tower at the Richmond Long Wharf. Smoke from a Chevron oil refinery fire fills the sky above Richmond in 2012. In a statement, a refinery spokesperson said a process upset that was quickly corrected within the refinery led to a safety flare at 2:40 p.m. In the days that followed, 15,000 people in the area sought . "A Community Warning System Level 1 the lowest on the scale was issued to keep residents informed.". Revise the Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) to require that Process Hazard Analyses include documentation of the recognized methodologies, rationale and conclusions used to claim that safeguards intended to control hazards will be effective. After an initial explosion, a black cloud was visible over the fire, which contained heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and ammonia. The goal shall be to drive the risk of major accidents to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). Sunflowers were in sight all around as symbols of the climate justice movement. Revise API 570: Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems to: a. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) will convene a public meeting on January 28, 2015, starting at 6:00 p.m. at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA, 94804. Inspect every component within all carbon steel piping circuits susceptible to sulfidation corrosion that may contain low-silicon components once. The Chevron Richmond long wharf at the Chevron refinery in Richmond in February 2021. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Gioia released a statement criticizing the oil giant on Monday: Chevron has failed the community by its recent flaring due to problems at its cogeneration plant.