I'm not sure if this made national news. There was a major refinery fire in Richmond, CA Monday afternoon. The refinery was releasing vapors, and then, caught fire about 2 hours later. They did a shelter in place, but still, several hundred people ended up in emergency rooms with breathing difficulties and respiratory problems.
They got it down to a control;ed by morning. They don't know the cause of the problem as yet.
This is one of the largest refineries in California. It's had 3 major events in 13 years, and usually has some sort of malfuction where smoke or fumes are released into the community every year.
The fire has cause this unit as a well as a couple of others to shut down. They will be shut down indefinitely which means we'll be seeing at least 25 cents more a gallon for gas within the next week (we're close to $4 now) and it will affect gas prices in a couple of other states as well.
I do not live near the refinery. I'm over almost two hours away. Even still, about 5 hours after the fire started we could smell it. What a nasty smell! I can't imagine what the air was like for the people who live next door to it.
Many people were furious because there is supposed to be an automated phone system that alerts them of an accident. However, there was a glitch and several communities did not get their phone calls. Some of those people ended up in the hospital.
I know that we will not be rid of refineries anytime soon. But, I do wonder about the long term effects of living next to one especially if you are a child. They showed the layout of the city near the refinery. The houses are less than a 5 minute drive from the refinery and they can see the building easily from their front yards.
It is ironic that Chevron had sent out invitations to the community. Next week they were offering free tours of the refinery to show how safe it is.
Do you live near a refinery? Do you have concerns about what it might do to your health?
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3
Oil Refinery Fire in Richmond, California
Started by FamilyTreeClimber, Aug 07 2012 11:17 PM
38 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 08 August 2012 - 04:56 AM
Thanks for sharing this news. i feel so sorry for the people that lived near there and were hospitalized. Who really knows how long such a contamination affects your health. I do not live near a refinery. The cities in my country, all have industrial areas and no houses very near. I think it shoud be a rule that no communities are near any refineries.
#3
Posted 08 August 2012 - 10:19 AM
I've wondered about the wisdom of building them so close to communities. I don't know the history of this site, so I'm not sure if the neighborhoods were there and they built the refinery or they are building new housing closer and closer to the refinery. The thing is air travels. I suspect on a daily basis the harm is lessened by your distance from the refinery. However, the fire spread smoke over three counties.
What was particularly unnerving was the 911 call from the refinery itself. It took several questions before the operator caught on to the fact that it was a refinery that was on fire. I thought that was really odd since I know that the dispatcher consoles show the location of the caller. So, there was a disconnect from the start that it wasn't just a business fire but an oil refinery fire.
I saw part of a press conference with Chevron last night on the news. The residents are angry. They want the refinery shut down or they want them to clean up their act. Chevron claims they'd love to make changes but the city government won't let them. This battle has been going on for a good 20-30 years. The refinery won't go away because of its value. It employs a ton of people, too.
What was particularly unnerving was the 911 call from the refinery itself. It took several questions before the operator caught on to the fact that it was a refinery that was on fire. I thought that was really odd since I know that the dispatcher consoles show the location of the caller. So, there was a disconnect from the start that it wasn't just a business fire but an oil refinery fire.
I saw part of a press conference with Chevron last night on the news. The residents are angry. They want the refinery shut down or they want them to clean up their act. Chevron claims they'd love to make changes but the city government won't let them. This battle has been going on for a good 20-30 years. The refinery won't go away because of its value. It employs a ton of people, too.
#4
Posted 08 August 2012 - 02:02 PM
Here's a worldwide refinery list-scroll down for the US.
http://en.wikipedia...._oil_refineries
Keep scrolling for output numbers-barrels per day.
JFC that's a lot of dead dinosaurs being liquefied to fit into our tanks.
http://en.wikipedia...._oil_refineries
Keep scrolling for output numbers-barrels per day.
JFC that's a lot of dead dinosaurs being liquefied to fit into our tanks.
#5
Posted 08 August 2012 - 11:10 PM
Thanks for that list, Shortpoet. We have more in California than I was aware of. The Richmond facility is the fourth largest in the state. I've surprised to see that I haven't heard of a few of the companies: Greko? Lunday Thagard?
They had another smaller fire today at the same refinery. Chevron assures us all that it was nothing.
They have set up a program to compensate people for medical bills, work loss, and property damage. There were 4,000 cars that were allowed to drive through the area even after the shelter in place was ordered. This was the two hour period before Chevron reported there was a fire (they reported a release of vapors at first). How do you prove that you're experiencing breathing troubles because you sat in traffic near the refinery fire?
They had another smaller fire today at the same refinery. Chevron assures us all that it was nothing.
They have set up a program to compensate people for medical bills, work loss, and property damage. There were 4,000 cars that were allowed to drive through the area even after the shelter in place was ordered. This was the two hour period before Chevron reported there was a fire (they reported a release of vapors at first). How do you prove that you're experiencing breathing troubles because you sat in traffic near the refinery fire?
#6
Posted 09 August 2012 - 03:28 AM
FamilyTreeClimber, on 08 August 2012 - 11:10 PM, said:
Chevron assures us all that it was nothing.
Big oil (no matter what company) always say that.
Remember the bp spill in the gulf?
"A few barrels, nothing to worry about."
Yeah right.
#7
Posted 09 August 2012 - 07:03 PM
I only recently learned about this fire. I can remember a really bad fire at the same refinery when I was living in the SF Bay Area. I seem to recall that the refinery has a lot of safety issues. I also seem to remember that the emergency team wasn't allowed on the refinery grounds until the owners called their attorneys. Frankly, I thought things would change after that fire. Sadly, it looks like things haven't changed.
I lived in Hercules. FamilyTreeClimber, do you know where that is? I
I lived in Hercules. FamilyTreeClimber, do you know where that is? I
#8
Posted 09 August 2012 - 11:12 PM
Hardison, yes, I've heard of Hercules, though I don't think I've ever been there before. You are right about the Chevron refinery having problems over the years. Also, the Tesoro refinery in Martinez, CA has it's share of difficulties.
It appears there will be a Federal investigation over the lag time between when the problem was first noted, when they took action, and when they alerted authorities. Vapors were noticed at around 4pm, but they did not shut down the unit until almost 7pm. There was not a fire at first and some are calling into question whether they could have prevented the fire had they shut down the unit immediately. Because they didn't do so, and because they waited almost 3 hours to call for a shelter in place, the public was exposed to some airborn stuff. I am sure they will be slapped with a fine but they won't have to admit wrongdoing. They'll go on their merry way.
It appears there will be a Federal investigation over the lag time between when the problem was first noted, when they took action, and when they alerted authorities. Vapors were noticed at around 4pm, but they did not shut down the unit until almost 7pm. There was not a fire at first and some are calling into question whether they could have prevented the fire had they shut down the unit immediately. Because they didn't do so, and because they waited almost 3 hours to call for a shelter in place, the public was exposed to some airborn stuff. I am sure they will be slapped with a fine but they won't have to admit wrongdoing. They'll go on their merry way.
#9
Posted 09 August 2012 - 11:59 PM
FamilyTreeClimber, on 09 August 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:
It appears there will be a Federal investigation over the lag time between when the problem was first noted, when they took action, and when they alerted authorities. Vapors were noticed at around 4pm, but they did not shut down the unit until almost 7pm. There was not a fire at first and some are calling into question whether they could have prevented the fire had they shut down the unit immediately. Because they didn't do so, and because they waited almost 3 hours to call for a shelter in place, the public was exposed to some airborn stuff. I am sure they will be slapped with a fine but they won't have to admit wrongdoing. They'll go on their merry way.
I really don't understand how they manage to get away with everything. Fines are just love taps to these guys.
#10
Posted 10 August 2012 - 01:55 AM
Hardison, on 09 August 2012 - 11:59 PM, said:
I really don't understand how they manage to get away with everything. Fines are just love taps to these guys.
#11
Posted 10 August 2012 - 11:42 PM
Well, one way they get away with things is to not report it. They put out part of the federal investigation today. It turns out this same unit had a fire last year, but it was never reported to authorities. They think the original fire might have damaged something inside. You can't get in trouble if you don't tell anyone.
Lobbyists are our biggest problem though. Look at the tar sand oil leak that devastated the river in Michigan and how there were no regulations that forced companies to inspect their pipe lines or to have an emergency plan in place if there was a problem. Lobbyists in these industries sole purpose is to weaken legislation. We are the ones that pay the price for it.
Lobbyists are our biggest problem though. Look at the tar sand oil leak that devastated the river in Michigan and how there were no regulations that forced companies to inspect their pipe lines or to have an emergency plan in place if there was a problem. Lobbyists in these industries sole purpose is to weaken legislation. We are the ones that pay the price for it.
#12
Posted 11 August 2012 - 08:21 AM
Shortpoet-GTD, on 10 August 2012 - 01:55 AM, said:
Contributions to their campaigns (they won't kill the goose that lays their golden eggs) and lobbyists.
FamilyTreeClimber, on 10 August 2012 - 11:42 PM, said:
Well, one way they get away with things is to not report it. They put out part of the federal investigation today. It turns out this same unit had a fire last year, but it was never reported to authorities. They think the original fire might have damaged something inside. You can't get in trouble if you don't tell anyone.
Lobbyists are our biggest problem though. Look at the tar sand oil leak that devastated the river in Michigan and how there were no regulations that forced companies to inspect their pipe lines or to have an emergency plan in place if there was a problem. Lobbyists in these industries sole purpose is to weaken legislation. We are the ones that pay the price for it.
Lobbyists are our biggest problem though. Look at the tar sand oil leak that devastated the river in Michigan and how there were no regulations that forced companies to inspect their pipe lines or to have an emergency plan in place if there was a problem. Lobbyists in these industries sole purpose is to weaken legislation. We are the ones that pay the price for it.
I didn't think about that. It is oil so there's big money involved. It's still mind blowing that the refinery is able to get away with such bad behavior that threatens the public welfare.
#13
Posted 11 August 2012 - 06:36 PM
We don't live that close to a refinery, but there are some that are far away, that might have the fumes blown this way on a very windy day. Hope they are watchful and careful. I had heard that the gas prices in the west, are reportedly going to hit $4.00 per gallon, as a portion of the plant has to naturally be shut down.
#16
Posted 12 August 2012 - 10:57 PM
Shortpoet-GTD, on 12 August 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:
I've been watching prices more closely since that fire, and we've dropped 2 cents. $3.19-but most are $3.29. Go figure.
I have seen gas that cheap in well over a year! I doubt gas would ever be that cheap again in Southern CA. It was around $3.85 before the fire. Now, it's $4.11. I suspect it's higher in the SF Bay Area.
#17
Posted 13 August 2012 - 12:22 PM
Shortpoet, prices here have already jumped 25 cents. I often wonder how much this is gouging. We have so little gas in reserve that the minute there is a refinery outage the price jumps within 24 hours?
The first part of the investigation is over. It appears we have another PG&E on our hands. The same unit had a fire last year, which they neglected to report. What their internal investigation at that time showed was the pipe where the fire started was corroded. They decided not to replace the pipe. The Federal investigators are fairly sure that is where the second fire started. They also think that workers were exposed to toxic vapors because they were working closely in that area when the accident occurred.
The first part of the investigation is over. It appears we have another PG&E on our hands. The same unit had a fire last year, which they neglected to report. What their internal investigation at that time showed was the pipe where the fire started was corroded. They decided not to replace the pipe. The Federal investigators are fairly sure that is where the second fire started. They also think that workers were exposed to toxic vapors because they were working closely in that area when the accident occurred.
#18
Posted 14 August 2012 - 01:42 PM
FamilyTreeClimber, on 13 August 2012 - 12:22 PM, said:
Shortpoet, prices here have already jumped 25 cents. I often wonder how much this is gouging. We have so little gas in reserve that the minute there is a refinery outage the price jumps within 24 hours?
The first part of the investigation is over. It appears we have another PG&E on our hands. The same unit had a fire last year, which they neglected to report. What their internal investigation at that time showed was the pipe where the fire started was corroded. They decided not to replace the pipe. The Federal investigators are fairly sure that is where the second fire started. They also think that workers were exposed to toxic vapors because they were working closely in that area when the accident occurred.
The first part of the investigation is over. It appears we have another PG&E on our hands. The same unit had a fire last year, which they neglected to report. What their internal investigation at that time showed was the pipe where the fire started was corroded. They decided not to replace the pipe. The Federal investigators are fairly sure that is where the second fire started. They also think that workers were exposed to toxic vapors because they were working closely in that area when the accident occurred.
in other industries too?
They have to have enough money to give their ceo's million dollar bonuses but they don't have enough to
fix the working equipment. It's maddening.
Your own post about the tar sands leak comes to mind.
http://www.altenergy...-report-is-out/
#19
Posted 27 August 2012 - 11:10 PM
I thought I'd update everyone on this story. The Feds have finished their investigation. Now CalOsha and the Feds are arguing over whose story of the events is true. CalOsha has been protecting Chevron which I find interesting.
There was renewed anger today by the citizens of Richmond. As we hear more about what happened, it turns out the danger wasn't so much from gas or fumes released during the fired, but what they are calling particulate matter. The night of the fire they measured for chemicals and certain carcinogens, but their tools do not have the capacity to measure particulate matter.
This particulate matter which I assume is made up of bits of pipe, ash, and other materials is what is causing the health problems. They aren't saying what exactly it is made up of. But, it's very clear this is causing lung and eye irritation in several people two weeks after the fact.
There was renewed anger today by the citizens of Richmond. As we hear more about what happened, it turns out the danger wasn't so much from gas or fumes released during the fired, but what they are calling particulate matter. The night of the fire they measured for chemicals and certain carcinogens, but their tools do not have the capacity to measure particulate matter.
This particulate matter which I assume is made up of bits of pipe, ash, and other materials is what is causing the health problems. They aren't saying what exactly it is made up of. But, it's very clear this is causing lung and eye irritation in several people two weeks after the fact.
#20
Posted 01 September 2012 - 03:51 AM
They should build these refineries way out in the boondocks, away from people's homes. No one should live near a refinery, ever.
It scares me to think that those people likely had babies and small children that were breathing in that ickiness.
I still have a hard time comprehending the greed that it takes to run these dirty energy companies, make people sick and then try to cover it up and/or justify it.
It scares me to think that those people likely had babies and small children that were breathing in that ickiness.
I still have a hard time comprehending the greed that it takes to run these dirty energy companies, make people sick and then try to cover it up and/or justify it.
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