HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01091990 - S.6 To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: � Contra
Nancy Fanden Costa
DATE: December 28, 1989 for actio/v� County
January 9, 1990
SUBJECT:
CALL FOR INCREASE IN PENALTIES AND FINES INVOLVING
REFINERY SAFETY AND AIR QUALITY REGULATION VIOLATIONS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That 'a letter be sent from the Board of Supervisors to our
Legislative and Congressional representatives and to Bay
Area Air Quality, requesting their support in increasing
penalties and fines for safety and pollution violations.
That these increases be substantial enough that they will no
longer be treated as a mere business expense.
'BACKGROUND:
When Cal-OSHA was cut by Gov. George Deukmejian State and
U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials
shelved a major probe of refineries, leaving the industry to
set its own agenda for inspection, repair and replacement.
This has lead to serious gaps in the refineries ' vital
safety net.
The refineries have been slow to provide clothing with
fireproofing and other safety features for workers who
perform hazardous jobs.
And as quoted in The Times on Sunday, December 24, 1989,
"The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has been far
less effective than its counterpart, the Regional Water
Quality Board, in holding refineries to anti-pollution
rules. Some companies treat small air-board fines -
averaging $552 - as a mere business expense. The water
board' s more aggressive stance, with high levies and strict
discharge rules, has brought results. It should be adopted
by the air board."
As Richmond residents found out after the Chevron fire,
there is no adequate program for monitoring mishaps and
quickly notifying the public.
The committees of both the Legislature and Congress, charged
with the responsibility of reviewing refinery safety, should
work with the refiners to ensure the facilities are as
healthy for workers and neighbors as they are for the
economy.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON January 9, 1989 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X and OTHER X
Also, DIRECTED that Legislative Delegation be requested to support. legislation
regulating noxious odors and establishing penalties for violation of such
regulations.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: County Administrator ATTESTE D 9 1990
Phil Batchelo , Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
M382/7-83 BY DEPUTY