Chevron Says No Community Impact from Large Flames at Refinery

Flaring at Chevron’s Richmond refinery produced dramatic flames and smoke Thursday evening that were visible for miles, but Chevron and county health officials said there should be no impact on residents.

Flames and water vapor became visible when a process unit at the refinery needed to be depressurized and shut down, according to Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall. The process, produces a flare and water vapor that looks like smoke, makes it possible to shut down the unit safely, Reddall said. The process continued into the evening. Reddall said fence line air quality monitors showed no impact to the community. Reddall said he could not discuss why the unit needed to be depressurized due to the “commercial sensitivity” of refinery operations.

Contra Costa County health officials said in a statement on Twitter that a hazardous materials team is on scene monitoring but that residents are not being advised to shelter in place. Richmond police and fire officials have put out statements on Twitter Thursday evening calling the flaring normal and saying it did not pose a danger to the public.

By Bay City News

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