The Richmond Refinery Saga Continues

Communities For A Better Environment has filed suit in Contra Costa County Superior Court seeking to overturn the EIR for the expansion of Chevron's Richmond refinery. The EIR, which was three and a half years in the making was approved by the city of Richmond in July.

CBE argues that the refinery expansion will increase toxic emissions by a factor of 5%-50%. Chevron counters that the new equipment, which will allow it to process 1,000 gallons of higher sulfur crude a day, is more technolically advanced than older equipment and that will mitigate any extra pollution.

The Richmond refinery is the biggest in the region and supplies 25% of Northern California's gasoline.

Suit targets Chevron's Richmond refinery plan [San Francisco Chronicle]