The Martinez Refining Company on Monday said it reported a level 1 community awareness message to Contra Costa Health for hydrogen flaring at the refinery.
The alert was reported at 2:21 p.m.
CCH issued the following message to subscribers to its community awareness system: “A Level 1 Community Awareness message has been reported to CCHealth by Martinez Refining Company, located in Martinez. This message is for informational purposes only. You may hear, smell, or see signs related to this event; however no action is required.”
MRC said, “flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems, which are designed to safely manage excess gases and pressure through efficient, effective combustion.”
MRC has been under increased scrutiny from the community since Feb. 1, when a large fire broke out at the refinery and burned for three days. CCH ordered nearby residents to shelter in place for more than four hours.
The fire was caused by a hydrocarbon leak during “turnaround” maintenance. Six workers were injured, though none seriously.
A turnaround is a planned, periodic shutdown of a refinery, or part of it, for maintenance, upgrades, and repairs.
MRC, which is owned by PBF Energy, said 170 barrels — 7,140 gallons — of hydrocarbon materials were released during the fire, most of which they said were consumed by the flames.
CCH said chemicals and combustion byproducts from the fire included those that cause cancer, heart and lung disease, though most of the smoke was blown northeast, away from downtown and most residential areas.
The refinery has since been closed, though workers are still on site finishing the turnaround project and repairing the fire damage. Refinery manager Daniel Ingram said at a community meeting Thursday that areas not damaged by the fire could reopen in April. They hope to rebuild the destroyed area and reopen it by the fourth quarter of this year.
People can direct questions to the refinery at (925) 313-3777 or (925) 313-3601 after hours.
People can subscribe to CCH community awareness messages by texting CCHEALTH to 21423. The county’s website has additional information on hazmat notifications.
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