Operating safely and responsibly is the most important thing we do at the Chevron Richmond Refinery. Nothing is more important to us than protecting our people, local citizens and the environment. To control emissions and protect public health, California has some of the nation’s most stringent regulations. In Richmond, we work with more than 30 federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to ensure that the refinery operates safely and fully complies with all environmental standards for air, water, and waste.
Over the years, we’ve made significant investments to improve the performance of the refinery and minimize its environmental impact. Here are some of the ways in which the Chevron Richmond Refinery is achieving this mission.
Reducing Emissions
By running plants efficiently and investing in new technologies, we have reduced criteria air emissions by 86% since the late 1970s. Refinery air emissions are fully regulated to health-based standards by state and federal authorities such as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Air Quality
In collaboration with Argos Scientific and the City of Richmond, Chevron has implemented a community air monitoring program to help the public better understand air quality in Richmond. The system provides real-time data 24 hours a day, 7 days per week via three locations along our fenceline and three locations in neighborhoods adjacent to the refinery. Since the program was launched in2014, results show that air quality in Richmond is on par with other Bay Area communities including Marin County and San Francisco. The public can view the data at www.fenceline.org/richmond.
Water Use
The Richmond Refinery relies heavily on recycled water for its operations. Our recycling efforts keep millions of gallons of fresh water available every day for other uses by our community – enough water to supply 22,000 East Bay homes. Through a partnership with the East Bay Municipal Utility District , Chevron is now the largest user of recycled water in the Bay Area. As a result, about 60% of Richmond Refinery’s water is recycled.
Energy Efficiency
Chevron has also made a long-term commitment to improved energy efficiency at the Richmond Refinery. The Richmond Refinery has been ranked in the first quartile among West Coast refineries for energy efficiency since 2004. Our refinery modernization project represents one of the most important steps the refinery can make to further energy efficiency.
For additional details on how we are working to reduce our impact on the environment, read the latest issue of Richmond Today, our community newsletter.
