Chevron oil refinery on fire in Richmond
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Local air quality officials have approved a new plan to more tightly monitor pollution near refineries after gaps in the system were exposed during a fire at Chevron's Richmond refinery.
The Contra Costa Times reports that the Bay Area Air Quality Management District approved the plan at its meeting Wednesday.
The new strategy sets an 18-month timetable for creating a new rule to more accurately measure toxic air pollution from refineries.
The move comes after the Aug. 6 fire that destroyed a crude unit at Chevron's Richmond refinery and sent billowing black smoke into the air. Thousands of nearby residents flooded local hospitals complaining of breathing and eye irritation problems.
Jack Broadbent, the district's executive director, says the new plan will "significantly" enhance monitoring of the facilities.
The Associated Press