""Our community deserves to feel safe with where they live and work," District Attorney Diana Becton told KQED. "The judgement that we're talking about sends a clear message that no company is above the law and that my office will not look the other way when our communities are harmed.""
""Strong enforcement ensures accountability while directing resources back to the communities most affected by pollution,""
Martinez Refining Company will pay $10 million after authorities identified 163 violations between 2020 and 2024, including a Thanksgiving Day 2022 release of 50,000 pounds of spent catalyst. The Contra Costa County district attorney and the Bay Area Air District jointly prosecuted the case. The refinery produces gasoline and jet fuel and sits adjacent to Martinez, which has roughly 37,000 residents. Penalty allocations include $6.35 million to the Air District for community mitigation, $3.5 million to the district attorney's Environmental Unit, $100,000 to Contra Costa County Health Services, and $50,000 to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. MRC will spend $600,000 on compliance improvements and school air filtration.
Read at Kqed
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