Being
a resident of Richmond California can seriously be a hazard to your
health. Living in a town that has the third largest oil refinery in
the state, run by Chevron has had its share of fires in the past. In
January of 2007, the seal on a pump in a crude unit failed,
triggering a fire that lasted almost 10 hours. A former worker at
Chevron Richmond refinery named David Rorai 60, worked as a welder
about a decade ago said another explosion injured several workers.
There were two explosions at 6:15 p.m. on August 6, 2012. With two
large fires emitted thick, black smoke into the sky. Chevron
officials said, the fire started at the refinery's No. 4 Crude Unit.
An inspection crew discovered that, there was a diesel leak in a line
in the unit just before 6:30 p.m. All employees were evacuated no
serious injuries were reported. One employee had burns on his wrist
and was treated at Chevron Richmond refinery onsite clinic. Sirens
ripped through the air, alerting residents to stay indoors to prevent
breathing tainted air. Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo
shelter-in-place remained in effect until late Monday. All of Contra
Costa County had an advisory, for those with lung conditions or a
sensitivity to smoke to stay indoors. Oakland hills residents were
being warned by police about smoke heading their way. Smoke stretched
out over the El Cerrito hills. Contra Costa County hazardous
materials units rolled through the neighborhoods, taking air samples.
Contra Costa County hazardous materials specialist Trisha Asuncion
said, “That no hazardous compounds had been detected in the air,
but that monitoring would continue.” Several dozen people went to
Kaiser's Richmond Medical Center complaining of shortness of breath.
BART was affected they shut down, Richmond, El Cerrito del Norte and
El Cerrito Plaza stations at about 7 p.m., and shut down service
between Richmond and El Cerrito and Richmond and North Berkeley about
30 minutes later. Richmond Station remained closed late Monday. 500
angry residents crowded the Richmond convention center August 7, 2012
for a community meeting and demanded answers. Chevron was called to
answer questions about the incident. They booed when refinery General
Manger Nigel Hearne apologized again for the fire. Rev. Kenneth Davis
of North Richmond Baptist Church said, "You talk about shelter
in place, but how long can I hold my breath," and "What
about our dogs, our cats, our chickens, our horses and what about our
children?" I can feel for the residents of Richmond to have
another fire 5 years apart is not good. Not knowing how this is going
to affect their health in the long run. Another thing is how this
will affect the already high prices of gas? On Tuesday throughout
California spot gas prices could reach $4 a gallon by next week.
After the fire at Chevron's east Bay refinery. Chief oil analyst Tom
Kloza of Oil Price Information Service said, "With the spike in
spot gasoline prices today, you are looking at average pump prices in
the Bay Area ranging from $4 to $4.10 a gallon within a week or so,"
The price of gas in the Bay Area is $3.70 or a bit higher. As for the
price of gas being raised, is so unfair. What can we do about it?
Everyone is going to continue to drive, so we all are going to have
to suck it up and get over it.
LM
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