The following is a joint statement from the Bay Area Air District and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office:
The Bay Area Air District and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office understand the community’s concerns following the February 1, 2025, fire at the Martinez Refining Company. The Air District has been evaluating the fire’s air quality impacts and has issued three notices of violation to MRC for violating Air District regulations. These notices of violation were issued for creating a public nuisance, for failing to operate equipment as permitted, and for excessive smoke and soot fallout. The Air District’s investigations are ongoing, and the agency will issue further notices of violation for any additional violations uncovered.
Additionally, the Air District and the District Attorney’s Office continue the joint civil enforcement action against MRC for previous violations at this refinery. The two agencies are working collaboratively to take a comprehensive approach to ensure MRC’s compliance with all air quality regulations. While we understand the public’s interest, the confidential nature of the process prevents us from commenting on the status of this enforcement action.
photo credit: Doug Jacobs
In other words, forget about it.
A few months from now, the air district will announce a settlement.
The bureaucrats will have forgotten about the residents by then.
I hope not
This is what corruption looks like.
Hmm, . . . . . so is human error due to insufficient knowledge or instruction / human error included in “…failing to operate equipment as permitted…” ? ? ?
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Is not uncommon for refineries, when maintenance shutdown is required on a “unit”, to hire outside contractors to do some of the work.
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Looking forward to explanation of what ” happened “.
We’ll never get an explanation of what really happened … just like PG&E power outages, many of the fires, etc….. there is no transparency despite their claims of it
On a related note,
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California Energy Commission has five commissioners, unelected bureaucrats hand picked by the governor, confirmed by state senate for five year terms.
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Briefly reviewing qualifications appears they very possibly lean towards green energy.
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Now the part that you should be sitting down for . . . .
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‘California Energy Commission Proposes
State Takeover Of Oil Refineries…’
https://californiaglobe.com/articles/california-energy-commission-proposes-state-takeover-of-oil-refineries/
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sarcasm An of course, state can do a much better job of operating them. end sarcasm
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Phillips 66 is closed southern CA refinery and there is serious than speculation Chevron will quit CA.
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“Behind the Oil Industry’s Biggest Divorce:
Chevron Versus California“…
‘How one blue state’s bitter fight with Chevron could hike gas prices for 27 million drivers’
https://tinyurl.com/ye2ajtx3
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“California has more than Chevron headquarters at stake.
The company, which operates two of the largest oil refineries in the state, has considered the possibility of ceasing production.”
https://tinyurl.com/48wamvba
How many recent violations have there been? You would have thought the refinery would be on thin ice after spewing ash several years ago and not telling anyone. But apparently it will take a body count before there is any meaningful action.
Has anyone EVER seen a legal penalty (‘$$-won’ or ‘$$-settled’) deposit being made to an affected City or the County’s general budget where it might actually benefit the public or allow the public to vote on where the penalties are spent? I’ve seen “Grants” given out for solar on agency buildings, or elec vehicles for agency partners, etc…but only if they deal with certain (EPA/AQ approved) suppliers~~but I’m sure there are no kickbacks in place😉
I have never read a story (anywhere) indicating that any money has EVER been given to the citizens. Air Quality, I am convinced, benefits only those who work at/for or kickback or kickback to politicians or the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
And how much money did they save by shortening their name? None? And anyway — they shortened the name to make things easier for the peeee—ple, don’t ya know? To make it ‘easier’ for us.
I’m sure it had nothing to do with trying to dodge the giant hammer coming down the good ole’ EPA.
One week before Trump took office:
Jan 14, 2025: “To better connect with the public, we’ve streamlined our name from Bay Area Air Quality Management District to Bay Area Air District. The agency should be referred to as the “Bay Area Air District” or the “Air District” rather than using an acronym.
(Note to self: How does shortening the name “better connect to the public?”
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Oh, I get it!They only really removed the words “Quality and Control”~~~ hmmmmmm🤔
The ‘AD’s new Acronym shall be: BAAD … whether they like it or not😝. There are 35 different ‘districts’ boards … deep-dollar-wells to tap in California…they deserve a name to match.
So they’re not gonna do anything
and you’re not allowed to watch.
Got it.