Marathon Martinez Refinery Hit With $5M Air Quality Fine

MARTINEZ, CA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has levied a $5 million penalty to resolve dozens of violations assessed against the Marathon Martinez Refinery, officials announced Wednesday.

The refinery is located east of Martinez and operated by Marathon subsidiary Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC.

The BAAQMD said the fine was the second-largest in the agency's history, resolving 59 notices of violation issued against the refinery between 2018 and 2022, and assessing monetary penalties for improper flaring when the refinery was idled during the early pandemic.

According to the agency, Marathon improperly flared vapors from storage tanks and loading racks and "flared gases related to the shutdown, idling and decommissioning of refinery process units."

The BAAQMD said other violations included improperly venting gases, multiple visible emissions from smoky flares, delays in completing repairs and other violations related to excess air pollution.

"The health of our communities should be non-negotiable," said Davina Hunt, chair of the Air District's Board of Directors. "This substantial penalty demonstrates the Air District Board's unwavering commitment to hold polluters accountable and safeguard the health of our communities. We must prioritize people over profits."

Hunt said the bulk of the $5 million fine would be invested into projects to improve air quality and benefit communities most affected by toxic emissions. According to the BAAQMD, all violations in the case have since been corrected.