Refinery
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Is this a good idea?
Pros
• The refinery would almost double its output of gas and diesel.
• Property taxes on the refinery are expected to double from $1.5 million to $3 million annually, giving more money for local roads and other services.
• The $600 million investment would ensure the facility’s long-term viability.
• As many as 1,200 construction jobs would be created over two years. Estimated economic impact: $25 million.
• The project would create 100 new jobs. About two-thirds would pay an average of $70,000 a year.
Cons
• Traffic would increase significantly during construction.
• Truck traffic on Rosedale Highway would permanently increase from about 150 trucks a day to 250 or 300.
• The new facility would require on-site storage of hydrofluoric acid, a deadly chemical that, when spilled, can create low-to-the ground, gaseous clouds.
• Emissions that contribute to air pollution would increase. The facility is already among the top five stationary sources of unhealthy emissions in the San Joaquin Valley.
Latest stories
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Big West lobbying to speed up expansion approval
As public controversy swirls over its proposed refinery expansion, Big West of California now faces another hurdle.
Refinery debate turns into advertising war
A massive and dueling campaign to sway public opinion on a local refinery’s expansion plans is hitting people’s mailboxes, televisions and newspaper pages.
Nurses join anti-refinery chemical campaign
Some Bakersfield nurses have joined a group opposing the proposed use of a controversial chemical at Big West’s refinery on Rosedale Highway.
Police, fire unions oppose Rosedale refinery expansion
City police and firefighters unions announced Wednesday that they’ve joined the newly-formed community group Bakersfield Citizens Against Hydrofluoric Acid in opposing the use of a caustic chemical in a planned expansion at the Big West refinery.
Refinery archives
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Public support flows for refinery's expansion plans
People from industry speak at EPA meeting
Refinery expansion plans focus of hearing
The first public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Big West of California oil refinery on Rosedale Highway will be held Wednesday.
Shell Oil restarts cleanup of site
Shell Oil has restarted a system to clean up pollution beneath the Rosedale Highway refinery that environmental regulators say was shut down more than two years ago without their approval.
Board orders cleanup
Water regulators pushing owners to tend to site while Sen. Florez seeks action from attorney general
TOXIC GROUND
Rosedale refinery's threat to ground water grows as cleanup efforts stall
State still waiting for Shell to act
Water table below Bakersfield refinery remains contaminated
Blog
The Dirt: What do you think of the plan to expand the refinery? Join the discussion.
Poll
Do you support the expansion?
By the numbers
$600 million
Cost to expand the refinery
1.2 million
Additional daily gasoline and diesel output (in gallons) after the expansion
$3 million
Big West's property tax payment after the expansion
100
New jobs at the refinery created by the expansion
$70,000
Average salary of each new job
700
Average number of jobs during the two-year construction period
Links
Big West's official Web site
History of the refinery
How does the expansion get approved?
The EPA Web page on the expansion
Read the county report on odor complaints against the refinery
Read the violation issued to Big West in 2007
Gas releases at the refinery since 2005
California's oil refineries