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, the report said, launched a 40-ton piece of debris that nearly struck tanks carrying tens of thousands of pounds of MHF. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. 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. in communication and M.S. 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. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. The latest salvo in the battle over MHF came last month, when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors called for a ban on the highly toxic chemical. Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. 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. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. Redondo Beach Local News. 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. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California - CBS News State of the Union CBS News App Ukraine Crisis COVID Pandemic CBS News Live Managing Your Money Essentials Shopping. 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.. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Explosion reported in Torrance Fire department vehicles will patrol Los Angeles with vehicles and helicopters to identify the damage or emergency needs, it was reported. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM Hutchings holds a B.A. The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just north of the Pacific Coast Highway, Assistant Torrance Fire Chief Robert Millea said. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. TORRANCE, Calif. -- An explosion rocked an Exxon Mobil refinery on Wednesday morning, triggering a huge smokestack flare, raining down ash and leaving four with minor injuries, company and. The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. 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. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. Homes shook in . At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. 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? Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. 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. The refinery completed those improvements in 2020. 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. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. Those calls for a ban remain. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. TORRANCE An explosion and fire in a gasoline processing unit rocked the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance today, injuring three workers and sending flames and ash into the sky. 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. Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. 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. By Nichola Groom 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 injuring four workers and shattering windows of surrounding buildings, authorities said. 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. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on Saturday's fire: Federal investigators in January said a failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast and that the aftermath could have been "catastrophic" had the equipment hit the unit housing MHF. The explosion, which happened . She currently lives in Inglewood. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. 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.. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. "I kind of figured we had an earthquake, then I realized, living by the factory for all those years, they had a problem with the factory.". And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. 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. Every one of our lawyers is a Houston personal injury attorney whos undefeated in the courtroom and has recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlements in history. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. 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. This explosion and near miss should not have happened, and likely would not have happened, had a more robust process safety management system been in place, then-CSB Chairwoman Vanessa Allen Sutherland said in a statement at the time. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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.. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. 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. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. 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.. 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. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. The cause of the fire, which Millea said burned an unspecified amount of crude oil, is under scrutiny by investigators from Cal-OSHA, the states worker safety agency, while a county hazardous materials team also was on the scene. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. 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. 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.. 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. No further details were immediately available. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. 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. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. 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. 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. The explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment within feet of a structure that housed a highly volatile and toxic substance, modified hydrofluoric acid. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. / KCAL News. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. 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 . ET), but there was no . But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. Let's get out of here. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. All communications are private and confidential. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Torrance fire Capt. Those safety enhancements, Lafayette said, include installing a new protective steel structure, water mitigation dome and curtain, an enhanced HF/MHF detection system, and additional water mitigation monitors. 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. Member-Designated Transportation Projects, Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally, announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration, Manhattan Beach Office (By Appointment Only). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The PBF Energy facility has been plagued with a series of incidents since the massive blast two years ago that almost caused a catastrophic release of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid that could have killed and injured thousands. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. The modified HF catalyst reduces acid vapor pressure sufficiently to suppress the usual flash atomization process of hydrofluoric acid, that environmental impact report said, causing most of the acid to fall to the ground as an easily controlled liquid and reduces the potential for off-site consequences of an accidental HF release.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . 6 Min Read. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. God may not warn us again.. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. 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. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. And the incident was avoidable, CSB said: Mismanagement and improper safety protocols put in place by then-owner ExxonMobil who sold the refinery to PBF Energy shortly after the incident made the explosion likely. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California, Drivers of Critical Chemical Safety Change, Process Safety Management for the 21st Century, Emergency Planning and Response (Preparedness), Website design & development by Americaneagle.com. Steve Deuel said. The CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures.. torrance News Caught on video: Car-to-car shooting on 91 Freeway Video shows a shooting between people in two cars traveling on the freeway in the Long Beach area. Zehl & Associates is always looking for smart, hardworking and talented personal injury attorneys and staff to join our team. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu said in a statement Saturday that he plans to ask the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to include Saturdays incident as part of an ongoing investigation into the problems at the trouble-plagued refinery that began two years ago. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. CSB Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland said, This explosion and near miss should not have happened, and likely would not have happened, had a more robust process safety management system been in place. The crowd gathered at 10 a.m. at Columbia Park on 190th Street, cheering the remarks of Lieu, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and other speakers, before marching the short distance to the refinery. 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. Still, the explosion led to further safety measures, some the refineries put in voluntarily and others they did so essentially at the behest of government agencies. Refinery officials those from ExxonMobil, which owned the Torrance Refining Company during the explosion, and current owner PBF Energy have repeatedly pushed back on that conclusion, saying MHF doesnt pose a widespread threat. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. Various elected officials have periodically attempted to rein in its use at the Torrance refinery and another in Wilmington, the only two in the state that use the chemical. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. A blast was reported at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. That update was completed last year as well. 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. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. 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. 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. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. Other groups including the refinerys unions and local businesses feared the potential economic fallout if the refineries were forced to transition to a safer alternative. All rights reserved. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. The battle over a highly toxic chemical used in oil refining recently received a fresh jolt, seven years after the substance became a regional cause celebre in the wake of an explosion that rocked the Torrance Refinery. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. In the late 1980s, ExxonMobil and Phillips 66 jointly created modified hydrofluoric acid, which boasts a chemical additive that, when used in high enough concentrations, can prevent the poisonous chemical from dispersing. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT.
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