The latest salvo in the battle over MHF came last month, when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors called for a ban on the highly toxic chemical. In 2004, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said much the same in an environmental analysis the agency did when Valero introduced MHF at its Wilmington refinery. TORRANCE An explosion and fire in a gasoline processing unit rocked the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance today, injuring three workers and sending flames and ash into the sky. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. The bottom line is Torrance Refinery now has the most advanced safety systems of any HF Alkylation Unit in California, the U.S., and the world.. Member-Designated Transportation Projects, Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally, announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration, Manhattan Beach Office (By Appointment Only). The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four The ExxonMobil Explosion That Nobody Is Talking About TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) A New Jersey-based oil refining company announced Wednesday it is purchasing the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance that was badly damaged in a February explosion, with. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Had the tank ruptured, it would have caused a release of MHF, which is highly toxic. Lieu commended the AQMD for its proposal to phase out the use of modified hydrofluoric acid at the plant, one of only two refineries in California to rely on MHF. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. After protests and intensified public pressure from such activists as the Heises mounted in 2017, the AQMDs Proposed Rule 1410 became a key focus of the agencys Governing Board. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times SUBSCRIBE Copyright 2022, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell My Personal. / KCAL News. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. The cause of the fire, which Millea said burned an unspecified amount of crude oil, is under scrutiny by investigators from Cal-OSHA, the states worker safety agency, while a county hazardous materials team also was on the scene. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. PUBLISHED: February 18, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. | UPDATED: February 18, 2023 at 8:01 a.m. It's been eight years since a massive explosion at the Torrance Refinery shook the South Bay with the blast. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. In its final report, the CSB describes multiple gaps in the refinerys process safety management system, allowing for the operation of the FCC unit without pre-established safe operating limits and criteria for a shut down. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California - CBS News State of the Union CBS News App Ukraine Crisis COVID Pandemic CBS News Live Managing Your Money Essentials Shopping. Notably absent from the event was any sign of Torrance elected officials, although police officers in several patrol cars discreetly kept their eye on the peaceful protesters from a distance. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Best coffee city in the world? The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. Let's get out of here. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries continues, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, Texas congressman who broke with GOP is censured, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, More Iranian schoolgirls sickened in suspected poisoning wave, explosion that rocked the Torrance Refinery, according to a 2018 report from the Torrance refinery defending its use of the chemical, protests and intensified public pressure from such activists, Heres why AQMD committee chose enhanced safety measures over a ban on MHF at refineries in Wilmington and Torrance, LA public health official urges phasing out MHF chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries, Activists call for state investigation into use of toxic chemical at two South Bay refineries, Court rules ExxonMobil must give feds crucial data on 2015 Torrance refinery explosion, Explosion at Torrance ExxonMobil refinery injures 4; spike in gas prices expected, Alpine Village shopkeepers get confirmation: theyre being evicted, San Pedro Fish Market bids a sad goodbye to legacy location, Alpine Village, for decades a German American hub, faces unknown future, Appeals court ruling in Lunada Bay Boys case could make cities liable for surf localism, Gracie Abrams behind Good Riddance message in Los Angeles sky, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, 6 suspects wanted for holding up armored cars for $550,000-plus in Hawthorne, LA and Inglewood, California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, Hermosa Beach Police arrest 2 men suspected in shooting attempt, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. And it directs L.A. County to support any new legislation that would help phase out MHF. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released its final report into the February 18, 2015, explosion at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. TORRANCE, Calif.- An explosion and fire ripped through a gasoline processing unit at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, near Los Angeles on Wednesday, slightly injuring four workers and shattering windows of surrounding buildings, authorities said.Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST (12 p.m. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. "It was like a loud sonic boom. Activists carried signs reading Congratulations PBF, zero days explosion free and All lives matter while chanting Hey, hey, ho, ho, MHF has got to go. Some said the turnout demonstrates the series of refinery disruptions has reached a crisis point. Paige Austin, Patch Staff. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Chairperson Sutherland said, There are valuable lessons to be learned and applied at this refinery, and to all refineries in the U.S. Keeping our refineries operating safely is critical to the well-being of the employees and surrounding communities, as well as to the economy.. A buildup of natural gas caused the explosion that leveled a Torrance home, damaged scores of others and rained glass, stucco and other debris over a two-block area, investigators said. They have not yet completed their final investigation, and I will be asking the Chemical Safety Board to include todays fire and explosion as part of their investigation.. But HF is highly corrosive, posing a threat to nearby communities if it were dispersed as a gas during a fire, explosion or the like. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates If you or a loved one were injured or burned in a plant or refinery fire, contact ourplant and refinery accident attorneysfor a free consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . Redondo Beach Local News. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California - NBC News I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. A group of activists on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of an explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers and prompted continuing concerns about the. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. The incident caused the refinery to be run at limited capacity for over a year, raising gas prices in California and costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. A five-story processing unit had burst open, spewing industrial ash over a mile away that some mistook for snow and propelling a 40-ton hunk of equipment into the air. All rights reserved. in communication and M.S. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu said in a statement Saturday that he plans to ask the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to include Saturdays incident as part of an ongoing investigation into the problems at the trouble-plagued refinery that began two years ago. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. mostrar anuncios y contenido personalizados basados en perfiles de inters; medir la efectividad de los anuncios y el contenido personalizados, y. desarrollar y mejorar nuestros productos y servicios. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon - Patch The motion also instructs county departments to review existing health and safety measures related to MHF including emergency precautions in case of an accidental leak. All rights reserved, Los Angeles County Holds Stable COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate, Tax Deadlines Extended to October for Most Californians Due to Storms, Check Your Pockets: These Coins Can Be Worth Up To $24,000, Glendale Neighborhood Frustrated After an Illegal Hostel Moves In, Road Rage Incident Kicks Off Pursuit, Carjacking, and Weapon Fired Out Window in Wild Chase, NASA Images Show Southern California Mountains Before and After Winter Storm. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. Those calls for a ban remain. A group of activists on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of an explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers and prompted continuing concerns about the potential for an even more catastrophic incident and the release of toxic chemicals and fumes into local communities. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. Its unacceptable we were put in harms way, said Daphne Wong, who added that she does not believe the official line that Torrance is a safe community. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. The incident caused the refinery to be . MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. Zehl & Associates is always looking for smart, hardworking and talented personal injury attorneys and staff to join our team. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. The blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. Three were treated and released. Steve Deuel said. When released, the chemical can form a deadly, ground-hugging cloud that, in the event of a major leak, could have caused serious injury or death to many community members, according to the agency. The modified HF catalyst reduces acid vapor pressure sufficiently to suppress the usual flash atomization process of hydrofluoric acid, that environmental impact report said, causing most of the acid to fall to the ground as an easily controlled liquid and reduces the potential for off-site consequences of an accidental HF release.. Refinery Explosion Shakes Earth and Probably Gas Prices But the proposed ban on MHF is far from the first cost passed onto consumers: The 2015 explosion, according to the CSB, caused the refinery to run at limited capacity for more than a year and raised gas prices in California costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just . The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Minor injuries were reported after the explosion ripped apart structures at the oil refinery and shook homes for miles around the blast site in southern Los Angeles County. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. The CSB investigation also discovered that a large piece of debris from the explosion narrowly missed hitting a tank containing tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid, or MHF. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. Just before 9 that morning, pent-up gases at ExxonMobil's Torrance refinery south of Los Angeles had triggered an explosion so massive it registered as a magnitude-1.7 tremor. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. With the addition of these voluntary safety enhancements and other obligations completed and operating, we have fulfilled our obligation to further protect Refinery personnel and the community, Lafayette said. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on Saturday's fire: Federal investigators in January said a failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast and that the aftermath could have been "catastrophic" had the equipment hit the unit housing MHF. Had the tanks ruptured, the report said, it would have caused a massive release of MHF, which can be deadly to anyone who comes in contact with it. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. This explosion and near miss should not have happened, and likely would not have happened, had a more robust process safety management system been in place, then-CSB Chairwoman Vanessa Allen Sutherland said in a statement at the time.