FBI joins ‘toxic fallout’ investigation of Bay Area refinery

[Note from BenIndy contributor Nathalie Christian: Benicia residents should be aware that the plume that carried the toxic dust from the refinery in Martinez reached as far as Benicia, with toxicologists collecting samples from our own city to pursue their investigation. I nearly missed this news but for someone taking the time to send it to me (thanks!). This my my open invitation for you to send me tips and heads-ups on news impacting Benicia at benindy@beniciaindependent.com. It is essential our community stay informed, and I need your help. Remember to save the date of June 13 to attend Valero’s Benicia Refinery CAP’s community presentation on its incident response. The flyer for that event is at the end of this post.]

FBI investigating hazardous fallout from Bay Area refinery

A picture of Martinez Refining Company in the distance with residences in the foreground.
People living near the Martinez Refining Company in Martinez are under a health advisory from the Contra Costa Health Services to not eat food grown in their gardens until they have tested or replaced their soil due to a refinery accidentally release of dust containing heavy metals in November | Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group

LA Times, by Tony Briscoe, May 26, 2023

FBI agents and EPA Region 9 staff have been going door to door in the city of Martinez, asking residents for details about the release of metal-laden dust from the Martinez Refining Co. over the Thanksgiving holiday last year.

An FBI spokespeson confirmed Friday that the agents were canvassing residents as part of a joint investigation, but referred all other inquiries to the EPA.

“EPA is communicating with local, state, and federal agencies and does not comment on any ongoing investigations,” said Michael Brogan, a spokesperson for EPA Region 9.

Martinez Refining, located on an 880-acre industrial complex on the northern edge of the city, emitted as much as 24 tons of so-called spent catalyst, a mix of chemicals used to break down crude oil into finished petroleum products like gasoline, according to the local air district.

The fallout left cars, homes and at least one school blanketed in a white powdery substance. Tests determined that the residue contained metals such as aluminum, barium, chromium, nickel, vanadium and zinc.

Martinez Refining did not immediately inform county officials about the chemical release as required by law, according to Contra Costa County Health Services. The local air district and county officials learned after receiving complaints from residents.

The health department later advised community members not to eat foods grown in the soil if their homes were dusted by the spent catalyst.

The entry of federal investigators has stunned Martinez residents who are still awaiting the county-ordered soil testing and investigations by other local agencies.“We kind of expected quiet investigations in the background. But to have the FBI come out, that was never on our radar at all,” said one Martinez resident who spoke with federal investigators and asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.

The county health department has referred two violations to the Contra Costa County district attorney’s office — one for failure to notify the proper authorities of a hazardous material release and one for illicit discharges into the county stormwater system. Both referrals remain under review.


Valero CAP Announcemnet
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Save the date! Valero’s Community Advisory Panel invites Benicia residents to learn about air monitoring and incident response at Benicia Refinery

 

 


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