Contra Costa Health (CCH) today launched an unannounced inspection at Martinez Refining Company – owned and operated by PBF Energy, Inc. (PBF) – to request records and observe its operation with a focus on safety programs, reliability of equipment and to follow up regarding several recent accidents.
Given the recent history of chemical releases and other incidents at the facility, Contra Costa County’s Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) requires PBF to permit inspectors onsite and provide full access both to the site as well as company records.
So far in 2023, there have been 21 documented releases or spills of hazardous materials at PBF. In addition to these releases and spills, PBF reported flaring – an emergency safety measure to prevent more serious incidents – through the county’s Community Warning System at a rate of nearly one per week throughout the year.
“Repeated commitments to the community and to regulators to improve the culture of safety at PBF have not resulted in improvement,” said Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover, whose district includes the refinery. “We intend to hold PBF accountable for making the necessary investments to become a better neighbor.”
County Board of Supervisors Chair John Gioia and Glover, the vice-chair, will meet with PBF’s corporate leadership at the facility on Thursday to discuss their concerns about how the refinery operates.
This regulatory inspection will also include staff from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. CCH staff will review records pertaining to deferred maintenance of equipment at the site, programs and training relating to workplace safety, and policies and procedures related to emergency response and community notification during accidental releases. The inspection will also conduct a variety of field verification activities.
CCH will post more information about the investigation as it becomes available at cchealth.org.
Previous Stories:
- Dec 15 – Health Advisory Issued Due to Strong Chemical Odor in Martinez
- Nov 17 – Joint Civil Enforcement Action Announced Against Martinez Refining Company
- Oct 6 – Contra Costa Health Investigating Coke Dust Release at Martinez Refining Company
- July 14 – Report Shows No Ongoing Risk to Public Health from Martinez Refinery Coke Dust Release
- July 12: Malhi Issues Statement on Latest Martinez Refining Incident
- July 11: Contra Costa Health Investigating Coke Dust Release
- June 8: Risk Assessment Finds Martinez Refinery Release Did Not Increase Risk of Exposure to Hazardous Metals in Local Soils
- May 17: Health Advisory Lifted After Weeklong Mercury Cleanup in Martinez
- May 4 – Soil Sampling Being Done Around Martinez Refinery to Assess Health Risks
- March 7 – Health Department Safety Advice on Gardening to Residents who Live Near Martinez Refinery
- Feb 24 – County Offers Gardening Tip After Spent Catalyst Possibly Made Way into Martinez Soil
- Jan 5 – Health Department Asks DA to Pursue Legal Action Against Martinez Refining Company
- Dec 31, 2022 – Martinez Refining Company Says Maintenance Work Could Result in Flaring
- Dec 23, 2022 – Martinez Refining Company Statement on Thursday Flaring
- Dec 19, 2022 – Martinez Announces Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Martinez Refining Company Incidents
- Dec 14, 2022 – Contra Costa Health Recommends an Independent Investigation of Martinez Refinery Release
- Dec 9, 2022 – Flaring Friday Night
- Nov 30, 2022 – Hazardous Materials Release at Martinez Oil Refinery Contained Heavy Metals
- Nov 29, 2022 – Test Show White Dust Released in Martinez Was “Spent Catalyst”
- Nov 28, 2022 – Ash-Like Substance Being Investigated in Martinez, Company Offers Free Car Wash