SAMPLE LETTER
May 16, 2023
Honorable Members of the California State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
As members of the AB 617 Community Steering Committee for Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo, we are writing in support of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks’ AB 1465.
Our committee has been working with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and California Air Resources Board for two years to develop our Community Emissions Reduction Program, per the guidelines and goals of AB 617. We will be wrapping up our recommendations this summer and presenting them to our community of 160,000 people this fall.
To significantly reduce pollution in our community, we will need many strategies. One of them involves significantly stiffening penalties on refineries that violate California environmental regulations, which AB 1465 would address. In the past four years, Chevron’s Richmond refinery has been responsible for more significant air quality violations than any other single source in BAAQMD’s nine-county territory. And more flaring incidents than any other refinery. Its major flaring incidents have increased by a factor of four since 2018. And we don’t even know how much “minor” flaring events have increased. These aren’t counted, even though they take a psychic toll on our community, above and beyond the pollution they may generate.
Current fines and penalties have not been sufficient to change Chevron’s behavior or hold it accountable in any serious fashion.
The Chevron Richmond refinery generated roughly $1.25 billion in profits in 2022. For a corporation making profits of this magnitude, the occasional $25,000 fine is unlikely to be viewed as either a hardship or a deterrent.
Forcing refineries to improve their operational management is essential for public health, environmental justice, and regulatory effectiveness. AB 1465 needs to be passed.
Sincerely,
Members of the Richmond-North Richmond- San Pablo AB 617 Community Steering Committee
Heidi Swillinger