By Nichola Groom 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 injuring four workers and shattering windows of surrounding buildings, authorities said. The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. 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. 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. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. 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The incident caused the refinery to be run at limited capacity for over a year, raising gas prices in California and costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. 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. 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 potential for an even more catastrophic incident and the release of toxic chemicals and fumes into local communities. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. Those calls for a ban remain. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. Three were treated and released. The decision by the board came one week after the two refineries sent letters offering to install improved safety systems in the coming years if regulators ended their pursuit of new rules for the chemical. On a day when activists marked the two-year anniversary of an explosion that rocked the then-ExxonMobil refinery and showered neighborhoods with industrial debris, another fire erupted at the troubled Torrance plant early Saturday. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. 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. 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. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. 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. With the addition of these voluntary safety enhancements and other obligations completed and operating, we have fulfilled our obligation to further protect Refinery personnel and the community, Lafayette said. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. All communications are private and confidential. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. For more than seven years, members of small, local activist groups have been irresponsibly making claims against the Refinerys use of MHF, without any basis in fact, Lafayette wrote recently. The investigation of the Torrance explosion by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board revealed that a piece of equipment nearly crashed into a tank holding tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid a highly toxic chemical used to make high-octane gasoline. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. Explosion reported in Torrance Fire department vehicles will patrol Los Angeles with vehicles and helicopters to identify the damage or emergency needs, it was reported. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. 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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. The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. 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.. The improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. 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. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Activists carried signs reading Congratulations PBF, zero days explosion free and All lives matter while chanting Hey, hey, ho, ho, MHF has got to go. Some said the turnout demonstrates the series of refinery disruptions has reached a crisis point. With the capacity to refine more than 150,000 barrels of gasoline a day, the . Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just . 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. I cant believe they dont have the guts to stand up and say, This is wrong and MHF needs to be out of our community, she said. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose 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. The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. 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.. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. Overturned gas tanker explodes, killing 1 person, Texas mom in custody after 5 of her kids were stabbed, leaving 3 dead, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. There was also minor damage to two adjoining apartments, according to Millea. 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. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". 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. Two others sustained minor injuries. Really? read one of the signs carried by chanting marchers who endured a steady downpour to protest the use of toxic hydrofluoric acid at the refinery. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. All rights reserved. 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. And those who run the Torrance facility also say its refinery hasnt experienced an off-site leak of either HF or MHF since it opened in 1966. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. 6 Min Read. North Torrance resident Daphne Wong, her husband, Eng, and their three children, ages 5 to 9, all walked to the refinery together despite the rain. 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. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. The cause of the explosion was not known. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. 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. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. Various elected officials have periodically attempted to rein in its use at the Torrance refinery and another in Wilmington, the only two in the state that use the chemical. 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. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Four were taken to hospitals. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. The CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures., MHF was the subject of a thorough technology review by a court-appointed Safety Advisor with input from the City of Torrance, Gesuina Lafayette, PBFs community relations advisor said in a recent email. TORRANCE, Calif. -- An explosion rocked an Exxon Mobil refinery on Wednesday morning, triggering a huge smokestack flare, raining down ash and leaving four with minor injuries, company and. 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. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. 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. 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 motion also instructs county departments to review existing health and safety measures related to MHF including emergency precautions in case of an accidental leak. Hutchings holds a B.A. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. The cause of the fire, which Millea said burned an unspecified amount of crude oil, is under scrutiny by investigators from Cal-OSHA, the states worker safety agency, while a county hazardous materials team also was on the scene. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Just before 9 that morning, pent-up gases at ExxonMobil's Torrance refinery south of Los Angeles had triggered an explosion so massive it registered as a magnitude-1.7 tremor. Tests have shown that MHF, which Torrance has used since 1997, rapidly expands upon release and can travel at lethal concentrations up to two miles, according to a presentation from AQMD staff. ET), but there was no . 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. Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times SUBSCRIBE Copyright 2022, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell My Personal. More Stories Drone helps. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. in communication and M.S. The fire, possibly triggered by an explosion that has not yet been confirmed, was reported at 6 a.m. Saturday in the plants crude oil unit, said Torrance Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes. But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. 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. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. 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. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. 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. The Heises, for their part, are still working to educate residents in Torrance and Wilmington about their MHF concerns and are grateful the issue is still being monitored.
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