(July 31, 2009) A critical refinery upgrade project that benefits California and the Bay Area by reducing emissions and creating 2,000 constructions jobs at Chevron’s Richmond California facility, has been shut down as a result of a recent lawsuit, and leaves the future of the project in question.
The project will replace existing equipment at the facility with newer, cleaner technology that uses less energy and lowers emissions. At its peak, the project is expected to create more than 2,000 construction jobs, pump $75 million into the local economies and provide $61 million in community benefits.
The lawsuit challenged the city’s Environmental Impact Review (EIR) and requested that the Superior Court stop construction and ultimately operation of the project.
Over the past four years, Chevron has worked with the city of Richmond and the community to plan major equipment upgrades at the company's Richmond refinery.
Prior to beginning construction on the upgrade, an extensive multiyear environmental review of the project was conducted by experts hired by the city and with oversight from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District - the agency charged with safeguarding regional air quality. The environmental review confirmed that the project would reduce emissions and improve air quality in Richmond.
The July 1 Superior Court decision has forced the layoff of 1,300 workers and leaving another 700 jobs unfilled, and the $61 million community benefit agreements has been terminated.
Chevron has appealed to the California State Court of Appeal and asks for the EIR and city permits to be reinstated.
Chevron has called California home for 130 years and is one of the state's largest companies. According to a study by the Milken Institute, Chevron generated more than $9 billion in economic activity in 2007, and in 2008 Chevron purchased more than $1 billion in supplies from minority and women-owned businesses in California.
Chevron has been a member of the Richmond community since 1902, three years before the city was chartered. Today, it is the city's largest employer and taxpayer - providing more than 2,500 jobs and paying millions in taxes to help fund critical local government programs and services.
For more information on the modernization of the refinery, thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in support to help Richmond and its people realize a better future, watch this You Tube video.