Contra Costa County residents who live in the shadow of the Martinez refinery got a chance Thursday night to tell their congressman, and two of the agencies that regulate the plant, what worries them. About 100 people filled the multi-purpose room at John Muir Elementary School for a refinery safety town hall hosted by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, NBC Bay Area reported.
Why now
The meeting followed a long run of fires, flaring and pollution at Martinez Refining Company and a nearby renewable fuels facility. NBC reported more than 160 violations at the Martinez refinery since 2020, which led to a $10 million penalty against the company earlier this year. One of the most serious incidents came in February 2025, when a fire sent up thick smoke and dropped soot on nearby neighborhoods, triggering a four-day public health advisory.
In announcing the event, DeSaulnier's office pointed to recent incidents at several local refineries and to what it called the Trump administration's attempts to weaken federal oversight of the facilities. DeSaulnier, a former air regulator, planned to update residents on his work in Congress on refinery safety for workers and neighbors.
Who answered questions
Two officials joined him: Nicole Heath, assistant chief of hazardous materials programs for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, and Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer and air pollution control officer of the Bay Area Air District, according to the announcement.
What residents asked for
Speakers told NBC they want stronger enforcement, better protections for refinery workers and more openness from the companies and regulators. Several focused on how the public learns about incidents. "People just want to be informed. They want to be safe," one attendee told the station.
NBC reported that a public dashboard for reporting and tracking incidents in real time is now online.
The event was RSVP-only and was DeSaulnier's 278th town hall or office hours since he took office in January 2015, his office said. Residents who couldn't attend can reach his Walnut Creek office at (925) 933-2660.