The AQMDs own reports warned that the ability of MHF to prevent formation of a vapor/aerosol cloud is highly uncertain and that a release of MHF will result in exposure to HF with the same health effects.. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. 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. And it directs L.A. County to support any new legislation that would help phase out MHF. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. Refinery spokeswoman Betsy Brien said the fire was quickly extinguished and the Del Amo Boulevard barriers were activated to close the road under an abundance of caution.. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. ET), but there was no . 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. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. 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. Additional locations: Dallas, TX | Midland, TX | Odessa, TX | Louisiana, Plant Explosion Lawyer Refinery & Pipeline, Railroad Crossing Accidents and Train Accidents, Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. If you or a loved one were injured or burned in a plant or refinery fire, contact ourplant and refinery accident attorneysfor a free consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here. All rights reserved, Los Angeles County Holds Stable COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate, Tax Deadlines Extended to October for Most Californians Due to Storms, Check Your Pockets: These Coins Can Be Worth Up To $24,000, Glendale Neighborhood Frustrated After an Illegal Hostel Moves In, Road Rage Incident Kicks Off Pursuit, Carjacking, and Weapon Fired Out Window in Wild Chase, NASA Images Show Southern California Mountains Before and After Winter Storm. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. More Stories Drone helps. 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. Torrance firefighters . Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. In its final report, the CSB describes multiple gaps in the refinerys process safety management system, allowing for the operation of the FCC unit without pre-established safe operating limits and criteria for a shut down. There was no sign of an announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration so they could reflect upon the (2015) incident.. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. Environmentalists and concerned residents say MHF could prove catastrophic if the chemical were to escape, pointing to its corrosivity and studies that show its ability to travel beyond a refinerys footprint. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Best coffee city in the world? 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. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- The Torrance Police Department issued an alert for the city, notifying them that the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery had an explosion and fire early Saturday morning. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. 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. As a result, when the valve was needed during an emergency, it did not work as intended, and hydrocarbons were able to reach an ignition source. It was unclear what caused the fire. 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. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. But we had no idea about the danger.. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety. We cant assume we will be so lucky next time, whether that is another refinery accident, an earthquake, or God-forbid, an attack., The passage of the Supervisors motion is disappointing, she said in an email, because many of the points they make are both misleading and the projects are already in place, following agreements with several government agencies to install additional safety measures.. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. Let's get out of here. Had the tank ruptured, it would have caused a release of MHF, which is highly toxic. 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. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. Workers were seen boarded up the windows of the affected apartments later Sunday afternoon. Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. in journalism from the University of Southern California. 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. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . Of the injured, two were said to have sustained significant injuries. Homes shook in . Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. The 2015 explosion, according to the CSB, caused the refinery to run at limited capacity for more than a year and raised gas prices in California costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. The fire, possibly triggered by an explosion that has not yet been confirmed, was reported at 6 a.m. Saturday in the plant's crude oil unit, said Torrance Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. Instead, if a leak occurred, a ground-hugging liquid cloud would form, according to a 2018 report from the Torrance refinery defending its use of the chemical. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. Before joining the newsroom in 2016, she was a general assignment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. 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. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. 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. Had the tanks ruptured, the report said, it would have caused a massive release of MHF, which can be deadly to anyone who comes in contact with it. Both the PBF and Valero refineries are situated in densely populated areas of the South Bay: About 245,000 people live within three miles of the Torrance refinery and another 153,000 live within that same distance of Valeros refinery, AQMD said. 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. All communications are private and confidential. in communication and M.S. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. 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. We are very proud of the many technical advances we have added to our Alkylation Unit over the years, the refinery says on its website, which is additional proof of our continuing commitment to safe, reliable operations.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Flares from the stack, part of a safety relief valve system, are part of normal operations that occasionally produce a rumbling sound, like distant thunder, caused by turbulent mixing of vapors. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. People gathered in protest at the refinery later in the afternoon on the 2-year anniversary of an explosion at the plant that left two people injured. proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. Although there are alternative alkylation technologies under development, Lafayette said, they still need to be proven to be safe, mechanically reliable, and commercially viable at the scale of the Torrance Alkylation Unit.. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Were also the only law firm in the country thats currently representing over 65 of the workers who were injured in the Williams Geismar explosion, as well as 3 of the 4 workers who were tragically killed in the October 2015 Williams explosion in Gibson, Louisiana. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. 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. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. 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. No further details were immediately available. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. 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 . The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. That 2015 blast registered as a small earthquake that shook nearby houses, injured four of the facilitys workers and covered the area in dust and ash. Torrance Refinery on April 22 reported an unplanned flaring event, induced by damaged equipment, that sent an additional 765 pounds of SOx and 143 pounds of volatile organic compounds into the. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. The latest fire in an ongoing series of mishaps including leaks, excessive flaring and power outages that have plagued the refinery in recent months added fuel to the arguments of opponents that the plant is a safety and environmental hazard. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. Gavin Newsom to call for an investigation into the use of modified hydrofluoric acid at the facility, now operated by Torrance Refining Co., as well as by Valeros Wilmington refinery. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. The building has been undergoing renovations for some time, and the victims are believed to be remodelers working in one of the involved units, neighbors said. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. The CSB investigation also discovered that a large piece of debris from the explosion narrowly missed hitting a tank containing tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid, or MHF. Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. 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 improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. 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.. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. The CSBs report emphasizes that it is critical that hydrocarbons do not flow into the air side of the FCC unit, as this can create an explosive atmosphere. 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. 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. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The AQMD estimated that replacing the MHF alkylation units with a safer sulfuric acid unit would cost the Torrance refinery about $900 million, and could temporarily impact gasoline supply and cost. A buildup of natural gas caused the explosion that leveled a Torrance home, damaged scores of others and rained glass, stucco and other debris over a two-block area, investigators said. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. Two others sustained minor injuries. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. But the consequences, according to federal investigators, could have been far worse: The explosion, investigators wrote in a report two years later, nearly released tons of modified hydrofluoric acid, potentially putting thousands in the South Bay at risk. 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. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. All rights reserved. Steve Deuel said. The Torrance refinery, according to its website, has made several improvements, including a leak-detection system, upgraded water monitors, 24/7 automated, continuously monitored unit cameras and an expanded water mitigation system. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. Three were treated and released. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. The refinery has been under constant scrutiny since the explosion as small fires and flare ups have been reported since and raised concern among residents living nearby. 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. 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. The 2015 explosion, according to the CSB, caused the refinery to run at limited capacity for more than a year and raised gas prices in California costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4. The explosion, which happened . Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. 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. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. That update was completed last year as well. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. The LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. Principal Office: Houston Texas. 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. Minor injuries were reported after the explosion ripped apart structures at the oil refinery and shook homes for miles around the blast site in southern Los Angeles County. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. 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 so, the battle over MHFs future appears set to linger on with the Board of Supervisors call for a ban the latest volley. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. The explosion sent ash raining down on. TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- The Torrance Police Department issued an alert for the city, notifying them that the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery had an explosion and fire early Saturday. 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. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) A New Jersey-based oil refining company announced Wednesday it is purchasing the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance that was badly damaged in a February explosion, with. Cal/OSHA has shut down the fluid catalytic cracker and will only allow operations to resume once it can be exhibited that the unit can operate safely. 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. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. "Emergency procedures have been activated to address the incident, and employees are working with the appropriate agencies," a statement by the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery said. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available. All the while, officials at those facilities have defended the chemicals use as safe. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. The bottom line is Torrance Refinery now has the most advanced safety systems of any HF Alkylation Unit in California, the U.S., and the world.. The refinery completed those improvements in 2020. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Across California, CA | News | 15h. The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance plans on Tuesday to deliver a letter from its science advisory panel to Newsoms office urging him to request that Atty. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just . Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. All communications are private and confidential. With the capacity to refine more than 150,000 barrels of gasoline a day, the . 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. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. 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. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. 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. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. Weve won over $1 Billion for our clients, recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlement in history, and obtained record-setting victories against the biggest trucking, oil and gas, maritime and petrochemical companies in the world. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". 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.