APRIL 21, 2015
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA (CBS SF)
Hazardous materials crews were in route to the Richmond
Chevron refinery Monday after reports of flaring at the facility.
There is some visible flaring today at the Refinery to allow
for equipment de-pressuring. Flaring is
a part of refinery operations.
— Chevron Richmond (@ChevronRichmond) April 21, 2015
Officials say no shelter in place has been issued but Contra
Costa County had sent out a public health advisory for Richmond, North Richmond
and San Pablo..
People with respiratory conditions are encouraged to remain
inside until the smoke subsides, especially if they are downwind.
Contra Costa County Public health workers are monitoring
conditions in the field around the refinery.
The flaring was due to depressurizing a processing unit.
Chevron officials say the flaring has since ended.
Flaring activity has stopped. We will continue to provide
additional updates as needed.
— Chevron Richmond (@ChevronRichmond) April 21, 2015
Last December, there was significant flaring visible across
the region at the refinery. Despite assurances from Chevron they were routine,
later, officials said they were, in fact, an emergency reaction to something
that went wrong at the plant.