Fire burning at N. California refinery
RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — Officials have told residents of two Northern California cities to shelter-in-place as a fire at a Chevron refinery in Richmond releases plumes of black smoke.
The fire, first reported at 6:40 p.m. Monday, is burning in a process unit at the refinery, officials said. It is sending smoke over the cities of Richmond and San Pablo.
Residents are being advised by officials with Contra Costa County Health Services to turn off heaters, air conditioners and fans, and to cover cracks around doors with tape or damp towels.
Refinery spokeswoman Heather Cox told KTVU-TV that there were no injuries to report. Cox said she had no details as to what caused the fire.
Television shots show large flames with thick black smoke coming out of at least two refinery stacks at the facility.
The Chevron Richmond Refinery is among the country's largest and most important refineries, processing up to 240,000 barrels of crude oil a day, according to the company's website.
The facility makes high-quality products that include gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricants, as well as chemicals used to manufacture many other useful products. It is the largest producer of base oils on the West Coast.
The fire, first reported at 6:40 p.m. Monday, is burning in a process unit at the refinery, officials said. It is sending smoke over the cities of Richmond and San Pablo.
Residents are being advised by officials with Contra Costa County Health Services to turn off heaters, air conditioners and fans, and to cover cracks around doors with tape or damp towels.
Refinery spokeswoman Heather Cox told KTVU-TV that there were no injuries to report. Cox said she had no details as to what caused the fire.
Television shots show large flames with thick black smoke coming out of at least two refinery stacks at the facility.
The Chevron Richmond Refinery is among the country's largest and most important refineries, processing up to 240,000 barrels of crude oil a day, according to the company's website.
The facility makes high-quality products that include gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricants, as well as chemicals used to manufacture many other useful products. It is the largest producer of base oils on the West Coast.
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Quite conveniently timed to shut down a refinery at the end of summer, just before the traditional Labor Day weekend travel burst. What a wonderful excuse to crank fuel prices up another buck or so over the next 3 weeks. And crank profits up another 70%.
And we're continuing to spent billions of taxpayer dollars annually to subsidize the oil industry why?
The gasoline future are already at the 50% retrace of the drop from high to low (a low which has held strong several times). This should goose it over that and clear the way to hitting the high line again.
I am starting to think the oil companies start these fires on purpose so they can jack up the prices.
Oh yeah. How convenient. Notice that no one was killed or even injured... Just like Cherry Point. Almost as if they knew not to be in that area at 6:30.  The frustrating thing is that Chevron could rebuild this refinery from the ground up & not have to raise the price of gasoline one penny, and STILL rake in record profits. But they wont. We, the consumer will take it in the shorts.
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Senator Cantwell... whats happening with your probe into thse convenient fires? If you and the rest of Washington cant see a pattern here you need a good eye surgeon!
 @EMDF9A But, but, but.... Obama has no problem with $7.00 gasoline nor does his energy secretary. Why do you think gas prices are still so high? Why? Because the oil companies know that the current administration would like to see them double again. Yeah... $7.00 a gallon gasoline. That'll get the economy kick started!
Ain't oil wonderful? Â Why don't we destroy a whole lot more of the environment and look for some more oil?!
 @comdown Tell you what. You give it up. I triple dare you. You're a hypocrite. No plastic. No cars or buses. No trains. No electricity. Yeah..... go for it, big dog.
 @Middle Ground
 Every one of those have perfectly acceptable alternative fuel sources. Plastics can be made from both recycled materials and corn. Yes, corn. Cars, trucks, buses, and even trains can be run on ethanol or biodiesel. Synthetic lubricants are superior to petroleum-based lubricants. Electricity can be generated via water or wind, and here on the left coast a large portion of our power is.
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Sorry chum, but there's just no good, legitimate reason to keep swallowing the oil company propaganda. Oil is dangerous, expensive, and it's a finite, limited resource.Â
Of course! Â Whatever it takes to continue to raise fuel prices - especially on the west coast!