When refineries and other plants break air-quality rules in Richmond, the fines usually disappear into an agency budget. Now a big chunk is coming back to the neighborhoods that breathed the pollution.
The Bay Area Air District announced Friday that it has awarded $65 million in penalty funds to Richmond, Contra Costa County, Benicia and surrounding communities through a program called Bay REPAIR. About $38.7 million is going to projects in Richmond and San Pablo, according to the district. The district says these are the first awards of their kind in California.
Where the money goes
The two largest grants go to the City of Richmond, about $10.7 million, and Contra Costa County, about $12.9 million. Richmond's share will fund 10 projects run with 11 local groups, including support for electric public transit, 600 new trees, transit passes for 1,500 residents, energy upgrades for 100 income-qualified homes, asthma prevention and youth job programs.
The county will use its grant in North Richmond to finish the North Richmond Farm Community Resilience Center, electrify affordable housing and a senior center, plant 120 shade trees, improve the Wildcat Creek Trail and upgrade homes and childcare sites. Other grants cover park work in San Pablo, home upgrades in Pinole and help for workers moving out of refinery jobs.
Why now
The district adopted a policy in May 2024 to send penalty money back to affected communities. Richmondside notes the grants are separate from the $550 million Chevron agreed last year to pay Richmond over a decade. Supervisor John Gioia, who sits on the district board, called it the first time this much in fines has been returned to the community.
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez welcomed the money but said reinvesting penalties "does not replace strong regulation and oversight." The district says contracts should be finalized by spring, with grants running two to five years.