HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08211990 - 1.4 (2) To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' 1-040
FROM: Phil Batchelor , County Administrator cwtra
CW 1.6.E
DATE'. C(Y t/
SUBJECT: Community Involvement Activities of Shell Oil . Refinery I`J
and Other Petro-Chemical Industries
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
Accept this report on efforts undertaken by the Shell oil Refinery,
Martinez, and other petro-chemical industries, to keep local residents
aware of and informed about plant activities.
BACKGROUND
On September 5, 1989, an explosion and fire occurred at the Shell Oil
Refinery in Martinez. ' During a subsequent report to the Board on this
matter, the County Emergency Services Director was requested to discuss
with the Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) group the
feasibility of including, neighborhood representatives in the CAER
meetings. The purpose. of such proposal is to improve the relationship
of Shell Oil and other similar facilities with residents who live near ,
these facilities. Public awareness and education are key to citizen
understanding of the operation of Shell Oil and other industrial
complexes as well.
County staff has met with the Contra Costa County CAER group to discuss
public access to CAER meetings and other means by which residents
living in the near vicinity of oil refineries or other industrial
complexes may obtain information on the operation .of those complexes
and participate with industry representatives in developing a process
allowing for public participation in the development of
industry/community relations.
The Contra Costa County CAER meetings are open to the public and public
input is encouraged. Agendas for the CAER group meetings .usually
involve countywide issues. Recent topics have included such items as
the risk management and prevention program, community notification
systems, the incident command system and air monitoring during
incidents. CAER does not address specific concerns about individual
companies or agencies. These type issues are most effectively
addressed via direct communication with that particular entity.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
_ RECOMMENDATION' OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF RD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE S :
ACTION OF BOARD ON JOAF-'PROVED AS RECUMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
><
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
/<UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TARN
AYES; - NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: - OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DAITE SHOWN. -
CC: Contra Costa County CAER ATTESTED AUG 21 1990
Shell Oil Company PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 ( BY �_� ��„� _,DEPUTY
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County staff has developed a good working relationship with the Contra
Costa CAER group. Representatives from certain county departments such
as the Sheriff, Health Services, and Office of Emergency Services
regularly attend monthly CAER meetings. CAER representatives have
participated in County sponsored exercises. Following the Loma Prieta
earthquake in October, 1989, a CAER representative telephoned a report
to the County Emergency Operating Center on the condition of oil
refineries and chemical plants throughout the county. The CAER group,
for the last two years, has' published and distributed a quarterly
newsletter, entitled the Caer Courier. This newsletter is mailed to
approximately 500 local businesses and citizens. The CAER group
provides speakers, information booths and literature at many meetings
and workshops throughout Contra Costa County and the state. For
example, CAER staffed a booth and distributed literature at the
Disaster Preparedness Expo sponsored by the County Office of Emergency
Services in April, 1990.
As part of its continuing community outreach efforts, the CAER group
currently is studying the feasibility of developing a safety trailer
to be used for demonstrations to school children and the general public
on such subjects as fire safety, shelter-in-place procedures,
earthquake protection and in-home toxic safety.
In addition to the community outreach efforts conducted by the CAER
group, individual industries within the county conduct their own such
programs. For example, Shell and Chevron both publish and distribute
quarterly newsletters to all residents within their neighborhoods.
Many of the oil refineries and chemical plants have held open houses
giving residents the opportunity to view first-hand the plant
facilities and operations. For example, in 1989, Unocal hosted such
an open house for 600 people, providing a luncheon and tour. Residents
also had the opportunity to talk informally with Refinery management
personnel. Shell Oil has conducted open houses in the past and this
year, as part of its 75 year celebration, plans to hold a major
community open house event. Dow Chemical has developed a Guest
Information Center which is open to the public during regular work
hours or during off hours by appointment. In 1989, over 1500 people,
primarily local students and teachers, visited the- Information Center
and toured the Dow facility. Visitors to the Dow plant are able to
observe displays on incineration including the model of the hazardous
waste incineration plant, Dow's recycling efforts, air quality and
community safety.
Recently, Dow Chemical established a community advisory group. The
objectives of such a group are to address community concerns, reduce
the "bad neighbor" image of the chemical plant and to develop an early
warning system that satisfies the needs of the community. A similar
community advisory group is presently being established by Shell Oil
Co. These groups will allow direct community participation on issues
related to plant operations and safety programs and will provide for
direct community input, as desired by the Board.
Members of the CCC CAER group have indicated a genuine interest in
continuing to improve their community awareness and education program.
Such efforts are being waged both by the CAER group and individual
company members. County staff will continue to participate in CAER
meetings/activities and work cooperatively with the CAER members to
continue the community awareness and education efforts.
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