A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. Across California, CA | News | 15h. 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. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. There was no sign of an announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration so they could reflect upon the (2015) incident.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. 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. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. In the past 5 years alone, our Plant Explosion Lawyers have Won over $1 Billion for workers who were seriously injured and burned in refinery and industrial accidents, represented workers in connection with every major plant and refinery explosion in recent history, and recovered record-setting verdicts and settlements against the largest oil and gas companies in the world, including ExxonMobil, Williams, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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County, Over $38M stolen from low-income SoCal families, Newport Beach home dangling after cliffside collapse, High-speed rail from L.A. to Vegas: What we know, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. 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 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. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. 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.. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. Other groups including the refinerys unions and local businesses feared the potential economic fallout if the refineries were forced to transition to a safer alternative. And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. 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. 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. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. 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. Refinery spokeswoman Betsy Brien said the fire was quickly extinguished and the Del Amo Boulevard barriers were activated to close the road under an abundance of caution.. California fire crews respond to ExxonMobil refinery explosion - CBS News U.S. Chemical Safety Board. The Torrance refinery has completed all safety enhancements and Valero has begun installation of some elements of safety measures structures and additional implementation is ongoing, said SCAQMD spokesperson Nahal Mogharabi in an email. Edited by Rachel Barnes. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA Just before 9 a.m. on February 18, the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California exploded, shaking the surrounding community with the force of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake, and sending a quarter ton of sulfur oxide gas into the atmosphere. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon - Patch Those calls for a ban remain. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. Weve won over $1 Billion for our clients, recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlement in history, and obtained record-setting victories against the biggest trucking, oil and gas, maritime and petrochemical companies in the world. 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. All Rights Reserved. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. 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. 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Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. Before joining the newsroom in 2016, she was a general assignment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. The Torrance refinery, according to its website, has made several improvements, including a leak-detection system, upgraded water monitors, 24/7 automated, continuously monitored unit cameras and an expanded water mitigation system. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. As a result, when the valve was needed during an emergency, it did not work as intended, and hydrocarbons were able to reach an ignition source. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Redondo Beach News, Breaking News in Redondo Beach, CA Torrance fire Capt. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California, Drivers of Critical Chemical Safety Change, Process Safety Management for the 21st Century, Emergency Planning and Response (Preparedness), Website design & development by Americaneagle.com. Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally Workers were seen boarded up the windows of the affected apartments later Sunday afternoon. 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. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. The AQMD estimated that replacing the MHF alkylation units with a safer sulfuric acid unit would cost the Torrance refinery about $900 million, and could temporarily impact gasoline supply and cost. 4 Injured in Possible Gas Explosion at Torrance Apartment - KTLA Those safety enhancements, Lafayette said, include installing a new protective steel structure, water mitigation dome and curtain, an enhanced HF/MHF detection system, and additional water mitigation monitors. All the while, officials at those facilities have defended the chemicals use as safe. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. 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.. 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. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Rocked by Large Explosion - KTLA Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. 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ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in It was unclear what caused the fire. 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. 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. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. 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. 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.. The explosion sent ash raining down on. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. 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. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. The crowd gathered at 10 a.m. at Columbia Park on 190th Street, cheering the remarks of Lieu, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and other speakers, before marching the short distance to the refinery. 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. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. All rights reserved. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. 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. 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.. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. 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. 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. Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for in communication and M.S. 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. There was also minor damage to two adjoining apartments, according to Millea. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. God may not warn us again.. No further details were immediately available. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. 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. Another fire? At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. Zehl & Associates is always looking for smart, hardworking and talented personal injury attorneys and staff to join our team. Of the injured, two were said to have sustained significant injuries. 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. 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. Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. We cant assume we will be so lucky next time, whether that is another refinery accident, an earthquake, or God-forbid, an attack., The passage of the Supervisors motion is disappointing, she said in an email, because many of the points they make are both misleading and the projects are already in place, following agreements with several government agencies to install additional safety measures.. There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. CSB Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland said, 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. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. 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. Environmentalists and concerned residents say MHF could prove catastrophic if the chemical were to escape, pointing to its corrosivity and studies that show its ability to travel beyond a refinerys footprint. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. 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. Two others sustained minor injuries. Torrance firefighters . Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. The AQMD scrapped the potential ban in 2019 instead accepting proffers from both refineries that promised to make safety enhancements to their existing MHF units. MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety.
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