On Feb. 1, 2025, a fire at the Martinez Refining Company (MRC) released toxic byproducts for three days, prompting Contra Costa County health officials to issue a health advisory for nearby residents.
Four days later, the Bay Area Air District, the public agency responsible for enforcing air quality laws in the region, issued three violation notices to MRC, the second largest oil refinery in the Bay Area. Two months later, the district added 27 infractions to the list, ranging from permit violations to excessive flaring (the intentional burning of natural gas during oil production).
The violations were among 323 amassed by MRC, which is owned by PBF Energy, over the last decade. Altogether, they resulted in $741,500 in penalties incurred by the company, according to air district data analyzed by Richmondside…