Flaring at the Phillips 66 refinery in Rodeo on Wednesday afternoon has led to an investigation by health officials into the air quality in the area. The Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department reported the Level 1 flaring incident, which took place around 3:30 p.m., and advised residents that they might see black smoke in the vicinity.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District responded by dispatching inspectors to look into the situation. The air district officials said that they are “responding to complaints, documenting any violations of air quality regulations, and assisting first responders.”
A spokesperson for the refinery explained to KRON4 that the Phillips 66 refinery experienced a “steam process upset.” They emphasized that all refinery safety systems functioned as designed and that flares are important safety devices used in refineries and petrochemical facilities. They are used to burn excess hydrocarbon gases that cannot be recovered or recycled.
The refinery is investigating what caused the flaring and has confirmed that there were no injuries and all personnel are safe.
This incident highlights the importance of stringent safety measures and regulations in refineries and the potential for environmental issues when these measures are compromised. It underscores the need for ongoing oversight by air quality officials to ensure that air pollution regulations are observed.