In February 2015 an explosion ripped through an Exxon Mobil refinery based in California. In January an investigation concluded that a series of gas leaks led to the blast. Reuters reported that Torrance refinery, which provides 10 percent of California’s gas supply, had a series of problems in addition to the leaks of steam and hydrocarbons. The blast injured four workers.
As reported in the article, Mark Wingard of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) stated that the leaking hydrocarbons found their way into the reactor and then back out to an ignition source. This consequently led to the explosion. Also reported in the article was news that the explosion nearly hit a tanker filled with hydrofluoric acid, a toxic compound, which could have resulted in numerous casualties for miles around the area.
Exxon Mobil has not completed 49 percent of the CSB’s subpoena requests and refuses to comply with document requests.
The explosion, according to the Los Angeles Times, has been the reason behind high gas prices in the Los Angeles area. In the article, the Los Angeles Times reported that Exxon Mobil has not completed 49 percent of the CSB’s subpoena requests and refuses to comply with document requests.
An Exxon Mobil plant manager, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, said that the company has conducted their own detailed investigation and reminded the public that CSB “does not have unlimited jurisdiction”. The Los Angeles Times elaborated on Wingard’s investigation citing “issues with mechanical integrity” and “a fire-hazard in the pollution-control system” contributed to the incident.
The Daily Mail UK reported that neighboring towns were covered in dust from the explosion and according to the CSB investigation, the explosion could have been prevented. The documents that Exxon Mobil have not provided are largely related to the tanker of the toxic hydrofluoric acid, reported The Daily Mail UK. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to facilitate the acquisition of the documents in question. The parts of the refinery affected by the blast are still shut down.
