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.. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. 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. 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. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The incident caused the refinery to be run at limited capacity for over a year, raising gas prices in California and costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. 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. 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. The CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures.. That failure ultimately allowed hydrocarbons to flow into the air side of the FCC, where they ignited in a piece of equipment called the electrostatic precipitator, or ESP, causing an explosion of the ESP. 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. Blast Blamed on Gas Buildup - Los Angeles Times mostrar anuncios y contenido personalizados basados en perfiles de inters; medir la efectividad de los anuncios y el contenido personalizados, y. desarrollar y mejorar nuestros productos y servicios. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four Gavin Newsom to call for an investigation into the use of modified hydrofluoric acid at the facility, now operated by Torrance Refining Co., as well as by Valeros Wilmington refinery. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. 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? Of the injured, two were said to have sustained significant injuries. But the proposed ban on MHF is far from the first cost passed onto consumers: 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 billion. Really? read one of the signs carried by chanting marchers who endured a steady downpour to protest the use of toxic hydrofluoric acid at the refinery. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Hutchings holds a B.A. 4 Injured In Reported Explosion At Torrance Apartment Complex The refinery, where about 155,000 barrels of crude oil are processed each day, has been part of the South Bay landscape since the 1920s. Torrance Refinery on April 22 reported an unplanned flaring event, induced by damaged equipment, that sent an additional 765 pounds of SOx and 143 pounds of volatile organic compounds into the. She currently lives in Inglewood. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. That update was completed last year as well. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. The AQMDs own reports warned that the ability of MHF to prevent formation of a vapor/aerosol cloud is highly uncertain and that a release of MHF will result in exposure to HF with the same health effects.. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance in journalism from the University of Southern California. Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". May 3, 2017, Torrance, CA, -- 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. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. Three were treated and released. 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. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. 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. Homes shook in . 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.. God may not warn us again.. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. Steve Deuel said. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. 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. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. 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. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. In its final report, the CSB describes multiple gaps in the refinerys process safety management system, allowing for the operation of the FCC unit without pre-established safe operating limits and criteria for a shut down. 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. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. All communications are private and confidential. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. 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. 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. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. The respective responses were predictable: For years, both sides of this battle have zealously defended their positions. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. Advocates renew call for MHF ban on 8th anniversary of Torrance The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. 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. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. The ExxonMobil Explosion That Nobody Is Talking About For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times Unfortunately, ExxonMobil, the owner-operator of the refinery at the time of the accident, did not respond to the CSBs requests for information detailing safeguards to prevent or mitigate a release of MHF, and therefore the agency was unable to fully explore this topic in its final report. The CSB investigation also discovered that a large piece of debris from the explosion narrowly missed hitting a tank containing tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid, or MHF. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. North Torrance resident Daphne Wong, her husband, Eng, and their three children, ages 5 to 9, all walked to the refinery together despite the rain. 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. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. And it directs L.A. County to support any new legislation that would help phase out MHF. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance firefighters . The refinery previously said that the citys Fire Department has the sole responsibility to decide what tools to use, when to use them, and what area within the community to notify. At the bottom of a public notice explaining the Torrance Community Warning System, however, ExxonMobil has the ability to initiate the use of the Community Alert Sirens and Crenshaw Street Barriers if an incident at the refinery warrants immediate community notification., The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Environmental Quality Committee has planned a joint hearing to address the emergency response in the Torrance refinery explosion. 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. Additional locations: Dallas, TX | Midland, TX | Odessa, TX | Louisiana, Plant Explosion Lawyer Refinery & Pipeline, Railroad Crossing Accidents and Train Accidents, Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act. 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. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California - NBC News But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. And so, the battle over MHFs future appears set to linger on with the Board of Supervisors call for a ban the latest volley. The information you review on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.The verdicts and settlements that we have listed are simply intended to be representative of the cases that Zehl & Associates has handled for past clients; they are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome in your or any other lawsuit. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. After protests and intensified public pressure from such activists as the Heises mounted in 2017, the AQMDs Proposed Rule 1410 became a key focus of the agencys Governing Board. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt.