"The incident that shook Chevron's El Segundo refinery last week once would have prompted a federal investigation. Not anymore. As the Trump administration moves to weaken the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, California still hasn't said whether any agency, department or authority will take charge of a comprehensive investigation when a refinery erupts something that's happened twice this year. Separately, in response to fears over higher gas prices, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers have opened the door to more drilling,"
"It does raise the issue of who's watching the refineries, said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog. They're the most dangerous manufacturing facilities we have in our communities. Scholars and engineers as well as local agencies and fenceline communities have seen the now-inactive chemical safety board as a vital source of information into the causes of major incidents at refineries. The independent federal agency was the gold standard for investigations of these kinds of incidents, said Greg Karras, an environmental advocate and independent consultant."
An explosion at Chevron's El Segundo refinery sent orange columns of flame and rattled windows in nearby neighborhoods. The incident previously would have triggered a federal Chemical Safety Board investigation, but the board is being weakened and is now inactive. California has not designated any agency to conduct a comprehensive probe after refinery eruptions, which have occurred twice this year. Concerns about rising gas prices have prompted state leaders to consider more drilling and to delay or loosen oversight measures. Community groups, scholars and engineers view the Chemical Safety Board as a vital, independent source for understanding causes of major refinery incidents.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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