Communities Against Carbon Transport and Injection – CACTI
On September 9, 2025, CACTI was launched. Montezuma LLC is proposing to inject carbon dioxide waste underground near the Montezuma Wetlands in Solano County. Known as the Montezuma Carbon Hub, the project would involve capturing CO2 from Bay Area refineries and power plants, transporting it via underwater pipeline or boat, and injecting it near a site of sensitive ecological restoration.
The pipeline network and injection site would be developed near Bay Area communities like Martinez, Benicia, Antioch, Richmond, and Collinsville. Carbon waste dumping projects like this one threaten the health and safety of local residents, especially because CO2 pipelines are dangerous and underregulated. Pipeline leaks can cause suffocation or even death to people and wildlife.
Contra Costa Health (CCH) has lifted the Shelter in Place order and stopped the community warning sirens after the Martinez Refining Company erupted in flames yesterday.
While air quality near the refinery has improved, a public health advisory remains in effect for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde, with CCH advising residents with respiratory sensitivities to stay indoors.
Investigations into the fire’s cause and effects will be extensive, given its severity. While the blaze was contained to the refinery, massive smoke columns and harmful emissions spread across Contra Costa and Solano Counties, potentially threatening the health and safety of thousands.
Community Alerts
The threat to human health and safety was somewhat contained by Contra Costa’s Community Warning System, which helped alert local residents to the immediate danger and notify them of evacuation and Shelter in Place orders.
The Bay Area Air District (BAAQMD) also issued two community warnings on Saturday to ensure the public was aware of the incident before issuing an incident report Sunday morning briefly describing the chain of events on Saturday.
The Air District responded to reports of an oily smell in Martinez around 10:45 am, which were soon linked to a fire at the Martinez Refining Company. MRC issued a Level 2 alert for the fire in its Light Oil Processing area, where Air District staff observed the flames and emissions.
By 5:00 p.m., Contra Costa County Health escalated the warning to Level 3, with the fire later being mostly contained and the source isolated. Level 3 incidents are classified by CCH as severe emergencies that pose immediate threats to public health or safety, requiring urgent protective actions like shelter-in-place orders or evacuations.
“Scared” in Benicia
Benicia residents also received fire and emissions warnings through the city’s own community warning system, operated by the Benicia Fire Department.
For Benicians not signed up for alerts from Contra Costa County, or agencies like the Air District, or third-party apps like FireWatch, the City of Benicia’s direct communication to residents was welcomed as a breath of fresh air.
Some Benicians noted they may not have even known about the potential health risks without the City’s alerts, let alone known how to respond. Others commented that the notification offered not much more than temporary peace of mind, although that peace of mind was appreciated.
The resident continued: “I didn’t think I could expect that kind of thing from Benicia. I feel like it’s ‘minimize, minimize, forget, repeat’ whenever anything bad happens here. But that text meant I slept okay at home last night, with my family.”
The incident commander for the fire that broke out at the Martinez Refinery this Saturday afternoon has reportedly called for a second alarm.
According to Claycord.com, a group that posts local breaking news:
Shell Ave and Marina Vista Ave are being closed in the area. One individual, a member of refinery staff, is being transported by ambulance. We’re also now hearing that multiple people in the area, heard two explosions immediately prior to the large smoke plume.
Fire crews were sent to fight flames and an apparent explosion at the Martinez Refining Company near Shell Avenue and Marina Vista Avenue. | Mercury News.
Rick Hurd from the Bay Area News Group reported to The Mercury News that the Martinez Refinery Company confirmed that the refinery had been evacuated and all refinery personnel are accounted for. Hurd also noted witnesses reporting “uncontrolled flames” shooting at least 200 feet in the air, with billowing black smoke moving east. Reports of at least one explosion have not been confirmed.
The company has reported the incident as a Level 2 notification — which include a hazardous materials release or potential release that is expected to have “off-site consequences and possibly adverse health consequences.”
This post has been updated to reflect new information.
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