Sen. Leno Calls for Audit on Refineries

Sen. Mark Leno, who represents Marin County in the state Legislature, called for an audit of the safety inspection process at California's oil refineries and chemical plants Monday.

The lawmaker from San Francisco said he was concerned for worker safety and health in the Bay Area and other communities located in close proximity to oil refineries.

The audit proposal comes in the wake of the Aug. 6 explosion and fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond.

"The recent explosion at Chevron's Richmond refinery was a serious wake-up call, resulting in many unanswered questions about what is happening related to safety and oversight at processing plants statewide," Leno said in a statement.

Some of California's oil and chemical plants may not have been inspected in recent years,  and Leno said he hopes that an audit will help improve safety measures at those facilities.

Leno said the audit likely would address issues such as whether state regulators are adequately performing refinery inspections required by federal law. 

Leno's refinery audit is expected to go before the Joint Legislature Audit Committee when the Legislature reconvenes next year, according to Leno, who represents San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma counties.

— Bay City News Service             

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