PBF sued over Martinez coke dust releases

: Petroleum coke
23/12/11

US independent refiner PBF Energy is facing a lawsuit from residents of Martinez, California, after the refiner's 156,000 b/d Martinez refinery released petroleum coke dust and spent catalyst into the surrounding community multiple times since November 2022.

The residents filed a lawsuit on 28 November asking the court to order the refinery to halt operations "until a verified plan is in place to ensure it no longer contaminates the surrounding community," and to form an independent oversight board to "evaluate the level of risk and exposure" the refinery's operations pose to the community. Residents are also seeking compensation for damages and for medical and environmental monitoring.

PBF Energy did not respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit follows a string of unplanned releases from the Martinez refinery since late last year, with the facility emitting spent catalyst dust from its fluid catalytic cracking unit in November 2022 and coke dust on 11 July, 22 July and on 6 October 2023.

Residents allege in the suit that PBF Energy failed to make timely reports of the incidents to regulators and to the public and that the refiner's risk management practices have been "futile".

PBF Energy must respond to the complaint within 21 days after being served summons.

The city of Martinez, California, adopted a proclamation in an October city council meeting urging PBF to improve safety measures at the Martinez refinery, comply with the local regulator's rule to address pollution from fluid catalytic cracking units and to regularly report to the city its actions to reach its own internal goal of eliminating injuries and accidents.

The Martinez refinery is a key supplier of transport fuels to the Bay Area and is also a significant producer of low-sulphur fuel-grade petroleum coke.

By Delaney Ramirez

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Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

25/04/24

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US Senate seeks coordinated cargo theft probes

25/04/14

US Senate seeks coordinated cargo theft probes

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Funding cuts could delay US river lock work: Correction

25/04/14

Funding cuts could delay US river lock work: Correction

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Flooding on US rivers mires barge transit

25/04/07

Flooding on US rivers mires barge transit

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