Refinery Operator Agrees to Penalties for Air Quality Violations

Tesoro Corporation will pay $472,000 in penalties to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for 35 violations recorded over a span of two years at the company’s Martinez refinery.

The air quality violations, which range from power failures that prompted shelter in place warnings to fires at the Golden Eagle refinery, happened between 2009 and 2011.

“Heavy industrial facilities, like refineries, must take responsibility for all aspects of their processes as the Air District and the public have no tolerance for pollution problems,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District in a press release. “This settlement will ensure Tesoro takes responsibility for all systems within its refining process to ensure they do not jeopardize air quality and comply with Air District regulations.”