An East Bay refinery will pay $10 million to settle allegations stemming from more than 100 notices of environmental violations over four years, including multiple releases of harmful dust that blanketed nearby properties, local officials announced last week.
The Contra Costa District Attorney and the Bay Area Air District announced the penalty against the Martinez Refining Co. last week, marking the third-largest penalty ever reached for air district violations. Between early 2020 and 2024, regulators issued 163 notices of violation against the refinery at 3495 Pacheco Blvd. in Martinez.
Among the most serious incidents was the release of more than 20 tons of spent catalyst that drifted over parts of Martinez and coated portions of the city in a white, ash-like substance on Thanksgiving in 2022. Regulators also cited two additional harmful dust releases in July and October 2023…