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Hidden dangers at Pacific Coast oil refineries

crosscut.com -- When a crude-processing unit at Chevron's Richmond, Calif., refinery burst into flame in early August, sirens wailed through local neighborhoods as pillars of smoke blackened the sky over the city and surrounding hillsides.

The plant's emergency management system issued 18,000 calls to nearby residents, urging them to "shelter in place" — closing windows, sealing cracks under doors with wet towels, turning off air conditioners — until further notice. But hundreds of people, many from poor, predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhoods near the plant, said they received no calls.

..But in the days following the fire, more than 14,000 people poured into local hospitals complaining of respiratory problems.

Chevron's 100-year-old plant has long been a source of contention in this in

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Submitted Sep 16, 2012 By: teafortwo

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jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,738 Points:587,745 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 2:31:36 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Dooooooh.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,595 Points:1,201,860 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 5:46:41 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse It is far cheaper for Big Oil to pay the piddly OSHA fines than protect the public. "The fines need to be large enough so they actually have a deterrent effect and repeat violations need to be treated as criminal offenses with jail time for senior management. Seriously. If I blew toxic smoke into your house would it be treated as a minor civil violation? The people at the top are the ones responsible for killing people - both directly, through workplace safety violations and indirectly through pollution - and its time they were held responsible. Its the conservative thing to do. Its called personal responsibility."
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:10,353 Points:1,976,655 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 12:26:57 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse Didn't anyone notice how the injuries from coal mining were folded into the "article" in order to make BIG headline numbers? In reality, if the coal mine incidents were left out, this "article" would not even make it past a editor. Even a very biased one. That said - both the oil companies and the government better get their acts together - or there will be a disaster that will make such headlines that every voter will be asking for blood from both sides.
ktbaeohana Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,296 Points:420,700 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 10:45:02 AM Ignore ktbaeohana Report Abuse not good for Chevron. watch and see.
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,054 Points:1,444,325 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 10:21:39 AM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse The good people of the San Francisco Bay area have experienced first hand the dangers of Pacific Coast oil refineries. Much of these dangers are due to massive cut backs on safety, maintenance and upgrades.
Tehbob Champion Author California Posts:2,276 Points:453,605 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 10:08:04 AM Ignore Tehbob Report Abuse yep
teenitup Champion Author Houston Posts:1,603 Points:245,955 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 8:55:34 AM Ignore teenitup Report Abuse From this rather odd article "But for all its tough talk, OSHA has spotty oversight and little regulatory pull with refineries. In 2010, OSHA secretary David Michaels called his agency's enforcement power "weak." Maximum fines for first-time safety violations are $7,000 — pocket change for large oil companies. (Fines for repeat violations max out at $70,000, but are rarely issued.) OSHA's 2,000 inspectors are charged with the impossible task of monitoring 8 million jobsites across the country, with no system in place to track violations by companies that operate refineries in multiple states." This really shows why the individual states should have regulatory control over industry. The Federal government just does not have the best ability to do the job. Too much conflict of political interest.
Metrolizer Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,015 Points:2,205,005 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 6:13:04 AM Ignore Metrolizer Report Abuse Don’t buy a house that’s located close to and downwind of an oil refinery.
Jkent1953 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,976 Points:438,010 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 5:13:55 AM Ignore Jkent1953 Report Abuse AFTER10: The problem is the government won't give permits for a new refinery and are stingy with permits to upgrade. We haven't had a new refinery built in the US in over 30 years.
Gmsclecarparts All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:707 Points:123,195 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 4:16:29 AM Ignore Gmsclecarparts Report Abuse Good reason to bring back the neutron bomb.
mastermariner Champion Author Texas Posts:4,236 Points:492,035 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 3:59:01 AM Ignore mastermariner Report Abuse OK
dogsdog Veteran Author Sacramento Posts:314 Points:31,840 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 3:46:08 AM Ignore dogsdog Report Abuse hidden dangers???
Xavier80 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,758 Points:375,190 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 12:46:01 AM Ignore Xavier80 Report Abuse Not good
ReddevilNO Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,350 Points:577,690 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2012 12:45:26 AM Ignore ReddevilNO Report Abuse Oh My!!!!
Mark8601 All-Star Author Bakersfield Posts:913 Points:378,765 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 9:25:26 PM Ignore Mark8601 Report Abuse "But hundreds of people, many from poor, predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhoods near the plant, said they received no calls." Hmm, maybe they didn't have their cell phones on or Chevron didn't have their "new" numbers. Bet they are all looking for some free rent money from Chevron!
after10 Veteran Author Hamilton Posts:355 Points:47,450 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:50:32 PM Ignore after10 Report Abuse We are forced to have manditory saftey inspections on vehicles not a decade old .That may not have any infractions.Why is a 100 year old refinery still opperating? If they cant afford to build a new plant after a 100 years ?Maybe its time to move on!!
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,339 Points:2,254,755 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:33:51 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Seldom used, last step emergency plans tend to be incomplete
obimerrill Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,425 Points:286,790 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:31:22 PM Ignore obimerrill Report Abuse Move away or not buy a home near refineries...theybre hazardos paces even if run safely.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,748 Points:1,861,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:26:18 PM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse The DEMOCRATS CONTROL CALIFORNIA, OREGON & WASHINGTON> WHAT HAVE THEY EVER DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ??????
WalRus49 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,055 Points:864,865 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:25:49 PM Ignore WalRus49 Report Abuse More organized mayhem and pillage.................
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,492 Points:600,445 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:22:59 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse maybe that's why Canada wants more pipelines through the U.S. instead of building refineries on their soil.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,970 Points:2,523,410 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:21:58 PM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse they should be away from everybody
MotoDad Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,106 Points:811,565 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:19:14 PM Ignore MotoDad Report Abuse Don't build houses near refineries.
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,703 Points:385,050 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:18:41 PM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse Should build the Refineries away from towns.
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,935 Points:828,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:18:40 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Oh boy...
BAMBAM197105 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:592 Points:104,835 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:16:53 PM Ignore BAMBAM197105 Report Abuse not good
Glock26 Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,514 Points:630,435 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:16:34 PM Ignore Glock26 Report Abuse O.K!!!
livewire300 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,355 Points:165,485 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:16:08 PM Ignore livewire300 Report Abuse FIX IT!!!
snky2k Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,383 Points:300,640 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:15:38 PM Ignore snky2k Report Abuse So...the sirens and smoke were't enough to let them know there was a problem? They needed phone calls too? Try being a little bit more observant in your own neighborhood. Still sorry they have to deal with the problems, though.
GigHarborHound Champion Author Tacoma Posts:2,517 Points:484,490 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:15:32 PM Ignore GigHarborHound Report Abuse There is plenty of open area in California and the rest of the country to build refineries!!
gsayeg1 All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:774 Points:139,040 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:14:23 PM Ignore gsayeg1 Report Abuse what bad luck
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,069 Points:1,099,105 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:14:01 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse Big Oil wants to keep the amount of gasoline produced to a minimum, so they can control the prices. We need more Delta Airline type takeovers of refineries, so that that Big Oil will lose their grip.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:12:53 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Chevron should build a replacement refinery, which would likely be safer for the nearby residents.
big_mac64 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:10,593 Points:1,485,590 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:11:32 PM Ignore big_mac64 Report Abuse glad I don't live by one, for sure!
CCLighthouse All-Star Author Hartford Posts:988 Points:210,005 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:09:52 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse I think the city of Richmond should have a problem with Chevron! And the citizens of Richmond should have a problem with Richmond! I'm sure Chevron brings a lot of tax revenue into the city; however, it shouldn't be at the cost of its residents.
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:3,171 Points:515,780 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:08:34 PM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Exactly!
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,635 Points:1,208,205 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:06:08 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Build new refineries away from dense population...
Glock26 Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,514 Points:630,435 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:06:04 PM Ignore Glock26 Report Abuse Interesting!!!
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,844 Points:1,353,825 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:06:00 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse And how many of that 14,000 are also looking for a lawyer to collect from their conceived injuries?
DesertRat2011 Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,597 Points:481,805 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:04:39 PM Ignore DesertRat2011 Report Abuse So are any new plants ever going to be built? Never in California