latest news: Oil Refineries
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A Dangerous Idea: Eliminating the Chemical Safety Board
RICHMOND, Calif. — The United States Chemical Safety Board is a federal watchdog with more bark than bite. It has five board members, a tiny staff of less than 50 and a budget of some $11 million a year. Its mission is to investigate fires and explosions in oil refineries and chemical plants. The board […]
United States, National USA Oil Refineries -
In Tesoro refinery agreement, Carson succeeds where AQMD failed: Guest commentary
Excerpts: Earlier this month, the city of Carson approved the historic, multi-year Community Benefits Agreement with the Tesoro oil and gas corporation. The South Coast Air Quality Management District, the agency responsible for air pollution controls in Southern California, gave regulatory approval for Tesoro’s Los Angeles Refinery Integration and Compliance Project earlier this year. We […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Air quality regulators clamp down on refinery ‘flaring’ practices
Local air regulators toughened rules Friday on “flares” at refineries, including the fuel facility in Torrance which released hundreds of tons of pollutants during flaring events last year. The process of flaring, which to onlookers appears as a giant flame rising over a facility, is a safety measure that releases pressure at refining units. But […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Small toxic acid leak at Torrance refinery sets off automatic sensor and alarm
A small leak of an oil mixture containing traces of toxic hydrofluoric acid triggered an automated alarm system at the Torrance refinery, Torrance Fire Department officials said Wednesday. The leak was discovered in the nipple of a valve in the west alkylation unit about 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, said Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes. “It set […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Is Torrance Oil Refinery dangerous? Alarmed neighbors, worried officials
Elected officials expressed deep concern Saturday morning over safety issues at the Torrance Oil Refinery, ahead of a fact-finding hearing by South Coast Air Quality Management District officials to discuss recent episodes of excessive flaring and increased pollution tied to repeated electrical outages and equipment breakdowns. The officials focused on the use of hydrofluoric acid, […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Torrance officials and residents call for ban of refinery chemical
The use of a hazardous chemical at the Torrance Refining Co. should be eliminated in the wake of repeated fires and explosions that have occurred at the facility in recent years, elected officials and community activists said at a news conference Saturday morning. The news conference took place outside the Torrance Marriott shortly before the […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Torrance council called ‘spineless’ for tepid stand on oil refinery safety
The Torrance City Council sidestepped passionate pleas for a hard-line stand against the city’s problem-plagued refinery early Wednesday, adopting a resolution that supports safety improvements at the plant but does not endorse a phase-out of dangerous hydrofluoric acid. The unanimous vote came after hours of testimony in the packed council chambers from residents, many who […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Torrance City Council votes against phasing out hydrofluoric acid at refinery
TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) — Lawmakers have voted against a resolution to phase out the use of a chemical at the Torrance Refinery. The Torrance City Council voted 5-2 against phasing out the use of hydrofluoric acid and voted 7-0 in favor of adopting safety measures at the refinery. The meeting stretched well beyond midnight, with […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
Dangers discovered by feds at Torrance oil refinery
The owners of the oil refinery in Torrance considered Wednesday their response to an EPA report that found numerous safety violations at the facility. Among the findings, EPA inspectors last fall found broken equipment that remained disabled for weeks even though its purpose is to help contain any accidental release of toxic hydrofluoric acid. The […]
United States, California Oil Refineries -
‘Damning’ EPA report on Torrance refinery uncovers more serious safety issues
An investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has uncovered more safety and operational deficiencies at the Torrance refinery, including a “superficial” management structure and broken equipment designed to help contain any accidental release of toxic hydrofluoric acid that remained unfixed for “weeks.” • DOCUMENT: Read the EPA report just made public In addition, the […]
United States, California Oil Refineries