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Florez calls for inquiry into refinery leak notification

by STACEY SHEPARD, Californian staff writer
sshepard@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, May 21 2008 7:13 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, May 21 2008 7:12 PM

State Sen. Dean Florez asked the state attorney general Tuesday to investigate Big West of California refinery’s response to a weekend anhydrous ammonia leak.

The senator, who has been critical of the refinery’s expansion plans, alleges Big West did not adequately report the incident to authorities.

A leak from a valve on a large ammonia tank at the refinery set off an evacuation alarm just after midnight Saturday. No was injured and Big West said the leak was small.

The evacuation alarm was meant for refinery personnel but was heard by an off-duty police officer who lives nearby, according to a police report. The officer called the Bakersfield Police Department, which notified the Kern County Fire Department.

Big West officials said they also contacted the Fire Department and Kern County Environmental Health Services, which responds to chemical spills.

Fire department officials could not confirm whether Big West reported the incident but Environmental Health Services Director Matt Constantine said Tuesday the refinery did not notify his department.

Under state laws regarding hazardous materials, the refinery must immediately notify Environmental Health Services whenever a spill is suspected.

Florez said Big West should have also notified the local the air district but didn’t. “I just don’t think things were handled the way they should have been,” Florez said.

Big West officials could not be reached Tuesday afternoon to comment on Florez’s call for the attorney general to investigate its response. But Health, Safety and Environmental Director Bill Chadick previously said the facility’s alarm system worked as it should have.

“We have alarms in the ammonia area that are set to go off whenever they get even the slightest whiff of ammonia,” Chadick said. “The alarm went off, and that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do.”

While ammonia diluted with water is a common household cleaner, anhydrous ammonia — which contains no water — is considered a hazardous substance. If spilled, the chemical has an extremely low boiling point and can instantly vaporize, forming a cloud that can travel downwind. Exposure results in severe chemical burns.

The refinery has come under recent scrutiny by county Environmental Health Services for several gas releases that made some nearby residents sick, and for not properly reporting those incidents. Big West has also become a community focal point after announcing plans last year to expand and build new units that will require the use of more dangerous chemicals.

“If this is the best response, then they shouldn’t be allowed to handle any other dangerous chemicals,” Florez said.

Constantine said Environmental Health Services will continue to investigate the situation.