Chevron refinery pollution control project faces Richmond city council review

The Richmond City Council is scheduled to discuss the environmental impacts of a proposed wet gas scrubber at the Chevron oil refinery during a meeting on November 5. The technology, which uses a mixture of water and lye to remove pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides from gas exhaust, was mandated by the Bay Area Air District in 2021 to meet emissions targets.

The project has faced significant delays due to litigation and lengthy environmental reviews. While both Chevron and the Martinez Refining Company eventually withdrew their lawsuits, the Bay Area Air District estimates that fine-particle emissions from the facility contribute to more than 11 early deaths annually in nearby neighborhoods. The refinery is identified as the largest individual source of PM2.5 in Richmond.

During the environmental review process, residents and environmental groups have raised several concerns. These include the high volume of daily potable water required for the process, estimated at 370,000 gallons, the management of highly contaminated soil at the construction site, and potential increases in noise and light pollution.