Valero Benicia Refinery has agreed to pay $183,000 to settle seven notices of violation that took place December 2010, Tom Flannigan, Bay Area Air Quality Management District administrative analyst, said.
The civil penalty settlement was announced Friday. The notices of violations had been issued to Valero in 2011, Flannigan said.
All stemmed from a December 2010 upset of Valero’s fluid catalytic cracking unit that converts heavy gas oils into gasoline and other light compounds, he said.
“The upset was caused by a valve failure, and occurred at the same time that electrostatic precipitators controlling particulate emissions were working at reduced efficiency,” he said.
The upset caused intermittent violations of the Air District’s opacity and particulate standards at Valero’s main stack during a 10-day period, Flannigan said.
He said it also caused the refinery to violate carbon monoxide and sulfur standards at other equipment at the plant.
Flannigan said the Air District issues notices of violation to tell industry operators that they have violated specific air quality regulations or rules.
“Violators are generally required to respond to the notice within ten days and submit a description of the actions they will take to correct the problem,” he said.
The fine money will be used to pay for Air District activities, such as inspection and enforcement, Flannigan said.
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Not nearly as bad as the Democrat State Senators on paid leave at a cost of close to $500,000 per year. Valero can fix it but the Liberals cannot fix this big criminal issue with the state Senators. I will take the Valero fix any day.
Agree, however, the astma rates in the Benicia Martinez area are about double compared to similar communities. Plus, the type of oil being transporting to the Valero Benicia Refinery will increase air pollution further with greater health risk. While Benicia is a nice city, it is to these very reasons I would never consider living there. You’re health is all you have.
I understand what yoiu ARE
Sying that is important. It is also important that we do understand that the refineries must follow the rules . They will be penalized or shut down if they do not. It is in their best interest to follow the riules. Aftet all some of the refineries have been here for over 100 years. i have lived in California for most of my life. Around refineries. What is worse refineries or earthquakes and mudslides. With the latter comes in some cases instant death.. I will take mty chances will all of them. But at the same time I do understand your concern. By the way where do you lve. Hard to get away from the refineries if you live in the bay area. There are five of them plus many other companies that in your situation cause some health issues. I wish you well in finding a good place to live.