Martinez Refining Company at the center of several environmental complaints – KCRA Sacramento


Officials at PBF Energy, the company that operates the Martinez Refining Company, determined that a hydrocarbon leak caused this weekend’s fire. Contra Costa County issued a level 3 community warning—its highest level possible.
Read more about the fire here.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, hydrocarbons are a naturally occurring blend of hydrogen and carbon and are used in refining crude oil. They can be dangerous when inhaled as fumes.
The Martinez Refining Company has been the center of several investigations from county, state and federal agencies.
On Thanksgiving Day in 2022, Contra Costa County Health says a component failed in the refinery and eventually led to the refinery releasing over 20 tons of toxic chemicals into the air. The FBI and EPA launched investigations into that event. Following that incident, the refinery reported 21 incidents of chemical spills or releases into the environment.
In October of 2024, the refinery agreed to over $4 million to settle allegations of violating the Clean Water Act. Regulators with the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Board alleged that MRC improperly disposed wastewater into nearby watersheds.
The county health department told residents near the refinery to close all windows and doors and turn off fans and venting units. PBF Energy will be required by the county to produce a report analyzing the root causes of the fire.
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