Mack Woodruff College, Post Secondary Career Options, Articles E

The respective responses were predictable: For years, both sides of this battle have zealously defended their positions. God may not warn us again.. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". All rights reserved. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. "I just appreciate that I'm here. Additional locations: Dallas, TX | Midland, TX | Odessa, TX | Louisiana, Plant Explosion Lawyer Refinery & Pipeline, Railroad Crossing Accidents and Train Accidents, Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. 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. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. The remainder of the FCC unit is comprised of a portion of the reaction process and a series of pollution control equipment that uses air and is known as the air side of the unit. And the incident was avoidable, CSB said: Mismanagement and improper safety protocols put in place by then-owner ExxonMobil who sold the refinery to PBF Energy shortly after the incident made the explosion likely. The work of the Safety Auditor was overseen by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge and approved prior to use of MHF at the refinery.. 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. Unfortunately, ExxonMobil, the owner-operator of the refinery at the time of the accident, did not respond to the CSBs requests for information detailing safeguards to prevent or mitigate a release of MHF, and therefore the agency was unable to fully explore this topic in its final report. The information you review on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.The verdicts and settlements that we have listed are simply intended to be representative of the cases that Zehl & Associates has handled for past clients; they are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome in your or any other lawsuit. Since then, at least one leak of hydrofluoric acid and several fires have prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to propose a ban on hydrofluoric acid. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. The fire, possibly triggered by an explosion that has not yet been confirmed, was reported at 6 a.m. Saturday in the plant's crude oil unit, said Torrance Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes. That update was completed last year as well. Torrance fire Capt. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Across California, CA | News | 15h. Still, the explosion led to further safety measures, some the refineries put in voluntarily and others they did so essentially at the behest of government agencies. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. 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. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. Refinery officials, though, say MHF was specifically designed to be safer than its non-modified original hydrofluoric acid and has been reviewed by experts and deemed the best catalyst for the refining process. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. 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. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. 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. Torrance Refinery on April 22 reported an unplanned flaring event, induced by damaged equipment, that sent an additional 765 pounds of SOx and 143 pounds of volatile organic compounds into the. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Both the PBF and Valero refineries are situated in densely populated areas of the South Bay: About 245,000 people live within three miles of the Torrance refinery and another 153,000 live within that same distance of Valeros refinery, AQMD said. We are very proud of the many technical advances we have added to our Alkylation Unit over the years, the refinery says on its website, which is additional proof of our continuing commitment to safe, reliable operations.. 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. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. Torrance officials said there was no chemical release and a citywide shelter-in-place order is not necessary, but those near the site should keep windows closed. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. Feb . Cal/OSHA has shut down the fluid catalytic cracker and will only allow operations to resume once it can be exhibited that the unit can operate safely. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bontas offices to take all possible actions to require refineries in California to convert from MHF to safer alternatives.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The proposal had plenty of support: Reps. Nanette Barragan, Ted Lieu and Maxine Waters wrote letters urging the AQMD to pass the rule and phase MHF out of Southern California. The AQMDs own reports warned that the ability of MHF to prevent formation of a vapor/aerosol cloud is highly uncertain and that a release of MHF will result in exposure to HF with the same health effects.. This is a breaking news story. The SCAQMD didnt comment on Hahns request for the organization to reexamine the viability of alternative technologies to MHF, some of which may be more commercially available than they were at the time of the vote. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. / KCAL News. Refinery officials those from ExxonMobil, which owned the Torrance Refining Company during the explosion, and current owner PBF Energy have repeatedly pushed back on that conclusion, saying MHF doesnt pose a widespread threat. Redondo Beach Local News. Steve Deuel said. Were also the only law firm in the country thats currently representing over 65 of the workers who were injured in the Williams Geismar explosion, as well as 3 of the 4 workers who were tragically killed in the October 2015 Williams explosion in Gibson, Louisiana. The Torrance Police Department issued an alert for the city, notifying them that the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery had an explosion and fire early Saturday morning. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. The CSBs report emphasizes that it is critical that hydrocarbons do not flow into the air side of the FCC unit, as this can create an explosive atmosphere. 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. May 3, 2017, Torrance, CA, -- 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. 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? It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. Although there are alternative alkylation technologies under development, Lafayette said, they still need to be proven to be safe, mechanically reliable, and commercially viable at the scale of the Torrance Alkylation Unit.. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. 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. All Rights Reserved. We voluntarily enhanced the Alkylation Units robust, layered safety systems already considered by experts to be amongst the most advanced in the world, Lafayette wrote, by installing additional safety enhancements.. TORRANCE, Calif. (Reuters) - An explosion and fire ripped through a gasoline processing unit at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, near Los Angeles on Wednesday, slightly . 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. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Three were treated and released. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. Edited by Rachel Barnes. More Stories Drone helps. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. First thing I thought was to call my wife, my kids, and let them know I'm safe.". It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. The refinery previously said that the citys Fire Department has the sole responsibility to decide what tools to use, when to use them, and what area within the community to notify. At the bottom of a public notice explaining the Torrance Community Warning System, however, ExxonMobil has the ability to initiate the use of the Community Alert Sirens and Crenshaw Street Barriers if an incident at the refinery warrants immediate community notification., The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Environmental Quality Committee has planned a joint hearing to address the emergency response in the Torrance refinery explosion. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon Neighborhood - Redondo Beach, CA - The blast at the Torrance refinery could be seen for miles and caused 1.7 magnitude ground-shaking. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. 6 Min Read. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. Thick smoke rose from a mangled, multiple-story portion of the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery, located south of the 405 Freeway, after the 8:50 a.m. blast. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. Zehl & Associates is always looking for smart, hardworking and talented personal injury attorneys and staff to join our team. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. An explosion at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance today sent a plume of black smoke in the air and caused ash to cascade down on the area, but there were only two minor injuries. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. The building has been undergoing renovations for some time, and the victims are believed to be remodelers working in one of the involved units, neighbors said.