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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Supervisors approve refinery expansion
Expansion of the Big West of California refinery could get under way as soon as January after county supervisors approved the long-fought project Tuesday evening.
County declares chemical use safe, will support refinery expansion
County planners have recommended approving the Big West of California refinery expansion after a last-minute analysis showed the use of a controversial chemical there is safe.
Planners: Refinery's disclosures lacking
County planners Friday disputed claims by Big West refinery officials that they were completely up front about a controversial chemical being used at the facility.
Revelation jeopardizes support for refinery expansion
Late revelations that a controversial chemical is being used at the Big West refinery without it being reported to the county may have cost the facility’s expansion proposal hard-won community support at a critical moment.
Planning commission OKs compromise refinery expansion
The Kern County Planning Commission on Thursday night recommended approving the Big West of California refinery expansion under a compromise plan that would create less pollution and prevent the facility from bringing a new hazardous chemical into the community.
Refinery expansion headed for first vote
A long-awaited public hearing on the Big West of California refinery expansion is no longer expected to produce the fireworks the issue once promised.
Refinery reports yet another gas release
The same day the Kern County Planning Commission recommended approving an expansion of the Big West of California refinery, an equipment failure at the facility vented sulfur gas into the air.
County planners endorse refinery expansion plan
The Kern County Planning Department has endorsed the Big West of California expansion plan under an alternate design that does not introduce a new hazardous chemical into the community.
Valley lawmakers offer support for Rosedale refinery expansion
Three Central Valley lawmakers have voiced support for Big West of California refinery expansion.
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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