Los Angeles, CA —Upon the court’s decision being made public this week, CBE issues the following statement. Judge Fruin of Los Angeles Superior Court ruled in favor of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), approving the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the expansion of the Tesoro Los Angeles Refinery (recently purchased by Marathon). Clean air advocates are extremely concerned about the decision, given the EIR’s failure to disclose major increases in pollution and accident risk allowed by the Air District’s approval. Tesoro’s expansion includes millions of gallons of new crude oil storage which can open capacity at the ports for more crude offloading by ship, and includes major equipment expansions at the refinery. The environmental review failed to evaluate increases in pollution and accident risk. The Tesoro (now Marathon) refinery is bordered by Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach, communities of color already severely overburdened by refineries, drilling, and ports pollution.
“We are dismayed,” said Shana Lazerow, CBE Legal Director. “The facts and the law support the community’s need for full disclosure and mitigation of this massive project.”
“The small Wilmington community is already ground zero for refinery pollution,” said Alicia Rivera, Wilmington Community Organizer with CBE. “AQMD’s decision to allow Tesoro’s mammoth expansion is irresponsible, unjust, and unconscionable. It is sad that we have to fight our regulators in court to make sure they protect our health and safety.”