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PBF
Energy's Martinez refinery emitted a "powdery substance" later
determined to be spent catalysts used in the refining process
last Nov. 24 and 25 and had failed to notify the county of the
release, Reuters reported last year.
"We are cooperating with all relevant agencies, including with
respect to any ongoing investigations related to the incident,"
said a PBF Energy spokesperson on Friday, declining further
comment on pending legal matters.
The Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI, did not reply
to a Reuters request for comment.
Parsippany, N.J.-based PBF acquired the refinery, located on an
860-acre site in Martinez, in 2020.
The Los Angeles Times earlier reported the FBI and EPA were
canvassing local residents as part of an investigation into the
spent catalysts' release.
A sample collected last year by Contra Costa Health Services
showed levels of aluminum, barium, chromium, nickel, vanadium,
and zinc higher than normal background levels for those metals.
The Contra Costa District Attorney is pursuing legal action
against the refinery for failing to notify the county when the
release happened, county health officials have said.
The oil refiner "thoroughly investigated the incident to
identify appropriate corrective actions and we are committed to
implementing them," the PBF Energy spokesperson added.
(Reporting by Laura Sanicola; Editing by Leslie Adler and Kim
Coghill)
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