Overview
- The district said the refinery's monitors were not configured to detect the full range of potential emissions, allowing high levels to go unreported.
- Regulators ordered upgrades after auditors found 20 monitors were inadequate, then cited the company when the changes were not made by the deadline.
- The agency says onsite monitoring by Chevron provides additional emissions data and strengthens compliance and transparency for nearby communities.
- Chevron contends its existing system was sufficient, characterizes the local mandate as beyond federal requirements, and calls the added monitors costly with little benefit.
- District staff report the problematic monitors have been addressed and are now being reviewed to confirm proper operation.