explosion in torrance todayhow old is eric forrester in real life

They have not yet completed their final investigation, and I will be asking the Chemical Safety Board to include todays fire and explosion as part of their investigation.. A group of activists on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of an explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers and prompted continuing concerns about the potential for an even more catastrophic incident and the release of toxic chemicals and fumes into local communities. Explosion reported in Torrance Fire department vehicles will patrol Los Angeles with vehicles and helicopters to identify the damage or emergency needs, it was reported. Principal Office: Houston Texas. After protests and intensified public pressure from such activists as the Heises mounted in 2017, the AQMDs Proposed Rule 1410 became a key focus of the agencys Governing Board. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. And those who run the Torrance facility also say its refinery hasnt experienced an off-site leak of either HF or MHF since it opened in 1966. The CSB investigation also discovered that a large piece of debris from the explosion narrowly missed hitting a tank containing tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid, or MHF. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. The blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. The refinery relied on safeguards that could not be verified, and re-used a previous procedure deviation without a sufficient hazard analysis of the current process conditions. "Emergency procedures have been activated to address the incident, and employees are working with the appropriate agencies," a statement by the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery said. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. Environmentalists and concerned residents say MHF could prove catastrophic if the chemical were to escape, pointing to its corrosivity and studies that show its ability to travel beyond a refinerys footprint. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. TORRANCE An explosion and fire in a gasoline processing unit rocked the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance today, injuring three workers and sending flames and ash into the sky. Torrance officials said there was no chemical release and a citywide shelter-in-place order is not necessary, but those near the site should keep windows closed. For more than seven years, members of small, local activist groups have been irresponsibly making claims against the Refinerys use of MHF, without any basis in fact, Lafayette wrote recently. Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. Instead, if a leak occurred, a ground-hugging liquid cloud would form, according to a 2018 report from the Torrance refinery defending its use of the chemical. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the explosion, wh. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Cal/OSHA has shut down the fluid catalytic cracker and will only allow operations to resume once it can be exhibited that the unit can operate safely. The CSBs report emphasizes that it is critical that hydrocarbons do not flow into the air side of the FCC unit, as this can create an explosive atmosphere. Really? read one of the signs carried by chanting marchers who endured a steady downpour to protest the use of toxic hydrofluoric acid at the refinery. Those safety enhancements, Lafayette said, include installing a new protective steel structure, water mitigation dome and curtain, an enhanced HF/MHF detection system, and additional water mitigation monitors. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. All communications are private and confidential. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. ET), but there was no . The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. Gavin Newsom to call for an investigation into the use of modified hydrofluoric acid at the facility, now operated by Torrance Refining Co., as well as by Valeros Wilmington refinery. The 2015 explosion, according to the CSB, caused the refinery to run at limited capacity for more than a year and raised gas prices in California costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. A buildup of natural gas caused the explosion that leveled a Torrance home, damaged scores of others and rained glass, stucco and other debris over a two-block area, investigators said. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates The explosion, which happened . Unfortunately, ExxonMobil, the owner-operator of the refinery at the time of the accident, did not respond to the CSBs requests for information detailing safeguards to prevent or mitigate a release of MHF, and therefore the agency was unable to fully explore this topic in its final report. The state could potentially lose thousands of jobs, and it could result in higher gasoline prices at the pump for California residents, businesses, and government, Californians for a Sustainable Economy an association representing hundreds of local businesses wrote in opposition to the ban. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. The explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment within feet of a structure that housed a highly volatile and toxic substance, modified hydrofluoric acid. It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. in journalism from the University of Southern California. Torrance Refinery on April 22 reported an unplanned flaring event, induced by damaged equipment, that sent an additional 765 pounds of SOx and 143 pounds of volatile organic compounds into the. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. The AQMD estimated that replacing the MHF alkylation units with a safer sulfuric acid unit would cost the Torrance refinery about $900 million, and could temporarily impact gasoline supply and cost. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. Hutchings holds a B.A. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The issues to be discussed include A decision not to use the ExxonMobil emergency siren to alert the community to the explosion and subsequent ash and dust fallout.. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. Electrostatic precipitators are large machines that stand12 stories high and weigh more than 1,000 tons. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. Tests have shown that MHF, which Torrance has used since 1997, rapidly expands upon release and can travel at lethal concentrations up to two miles, according to a presentation from AQMD staff. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. Across California, CA | News | 15h. All rights reserved, Los Angeles County Holds Stable COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate, Tax Deadlines Extended to October for Most Californians Due to Storms, Check Your Pockets: These Coins Can Be Worth Up To $24,000, Glendale Neighborhood Frustrated After an Illegal Hostel Moves In, Road Rage Incident Kicks Off Pursuit, Carjacking, and Weapon Fired Out Window in Wild Chase, NASA Images Show Southern California Mountains Before and After Winter Storm. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. Various elected officials have periodically attempted to rein in its use at the Torrance refinery and another in Wilmington, the only two in the state that use the chemical. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on Saturday's fire: Federal investigators in January said a failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast and that the aftermath could have been "catastrophic" had the equipment hit the unit housing MHF. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. The refinery has been under constant scrutiny since the explosion as small fires and flare ups have been reported since and raised concern among residents living nearby. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. All rights reserved. The AQMDs own reports warned that the ability of MHF to prevent formation of a vapor/aerosol cloud is highly uncertain and that a release of MHF will result in exposure to HF with the same health effects.. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. Three were treated and released. Although there are alternative alkylation technologies under development, Lafayette said, they still need to be proven to be safe, mechanically reliable, and commercially viable at the scale of the Torrance Alkylation Unit.. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. The incident caused the refinery to be . The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. torrance News Caught on video: Car-to-car shooting on 91 Freeway Video shows a shooting between people in two cars traveling on the freeway in the Long Beach area. The motion also instructs county departments to review existing health and safety measures related to MHF including emergency precautions in case of an accidental leak. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. We cant assume we will be so lucky next time, whether that is another refinery accident, an earthquake, or God-forbid, an attack., The passage of the Supervisors motion is disappointing, she said in an email, because many of the points they make are both misleading and the projects are already in place, following agreements with several government agencies to install additional safety measures.. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. The investigation of the Torrance explosion by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board revealed that a piece of equipment nearly crashed into a tank holding tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid a highly toxic chemical used to make high-octane gasoline. Additional locations: Dallas, TX | Midland, TX | Odessa, TX | Louisiana, Plant Explosion Lawyer Refinery & Pipeline, Railroad Crossing Accidents and Train Accidents, Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. The bottom line is Torrance Refinery now has the most advanced safety systems of any HF Alkylation Unit in California, the U.S., and the world.. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Of the injured, two were said to have sustained significant injuries. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. Both the PBF and Valero refineries are situated in densely populated areas of the South Bay: About 245,000 people live within three miles of the Torrance refinery and another 153,000 live within that same distance of Valeros refinery, AQMD said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Notably absent from the event was any sign of Torrance elected officials, although police officers in several patrol cars discreetly kept their eye on the peaceful protesters from a distance. "I kind of figured we had an earthquake, then I realized, living by the factory for all those years, they had a problem with the factory.". Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers.

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