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EPA FINES CHEVRON $20,000 FOR RICHMOND VIOLATION

Release Date: 10/16/2000
Contact Information: Leo Kay, U.S. EPA, (415)-744-2201

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Chevron Oil $20,000 last week for failing to immediately notify state officials of a 500 pound leak of sulfur dioxide at the company's refinery in Richmond last year.

     On June 2, 1999, roughly 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide was released from the refinery on Castro Street after a pressure relief valve was lifted in the gas recovery unit's discharge cooler.  While no one was reported injured by the accident, acute inhalation of sulfur dioxide can damage respiratory tissues.

     "For the safety of the community and the facility's work force, we require immediate and accurate reporting of all significant chemical releases to the proper authorities," said Keith Takata, director of the EPA's Superfund Program in San Francisco.  "In addition to paying the fine, we are satisfied that Chevron has taken several measures to prevent any future such problems."

     Since being notified of the violation, Chevron has made changes in its notification procedures and provided instructions to personnel working the night shift at the refinery.

  Facilities are required under the federal Superfund Law to immediately notify federal, and state and local emergency planning and response agencies following a release of a reportable quantity of hazardous chemicals.  Simultaneous notifications ensure that emergency response personnel have all necessary support for a safe and effective response.  Information on chemical releases must also be provided and records maintained to provide for the community's "right to know."

    Officials learned of the accident three hours after it occurred  when a local resident contacted the Contra Costa County Health Department, who verified with Chevron that a release had indeed taken place.  The health department then worked with the EPA to complete this enforcement action.