Rodeo San Fransisco Refinery

ConocoPhillips operates a refinery in San Francisco, California that has a daily production capability of 100,000 barrels of crude oil. The plant was built in 1975.

As the refinery was preparing to begin operation, many products were brought in that contained the naturally occurring material, asbestos. At the time, this material was used in many items such as rubber gaskets and insulation. Eventually, however, asbestos was found to be a very hazardous substance that can be inhaled by unsuspecting victims and cause respiratory diseases and a cancer known as mesothelioma. These conditions can be deadly, and may take many years to develop. Every person who worked at the plant before these products were removed was put at risk of exposure, and may develop these serious health conditions. If you, or anyone you know was employed at the plant during this time, contact your doctor immediately and schedule an appointment for an emergency check up.

In recent years, there have been many concerns about flare ups at the facility, and the level of hazardous emissions released into the air. A flare fire in 2002 produced a large cloud of black smoke and was thought to distribute toxic materials throughout local neighborhoods. Following this, and similar incidents, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District set out to establish new laws to regulate this plant and several others in the area. They released regulatory guidelines for refineries in 2005 that established stricter safety and environmental rules and requirements. These laws are very beneficial for local residents and will help ensure better air quality and improved safety for nearby neighborhoods and businesses. Many of these new guidelines are expected to be adopted on a national level.

To help improve safety and environmental concerns, ConocoPhillips established the Rodeo Community Advisory Panel (CAP) in 1995. This group included 12 local citizens along with plant officials, and they were to work together to review plant policies and discuss local concerns regarding the refinery. CAP is allowed to make suggestions and give feedback to the owners of the Rodeo San Fransisco refinery and propose plans to improve lines of communication between the community and plant executives as well as to improve policies and procedures regarding levels of pollution, employee safety and local health concerns.

Last modified: December 09 2009.