East Bay residents raise concerns about refineries' safety records at town hall

Following a long history of fires, flaring and pollution at the Martinez refinery and a nearby Renewable Energy Facility, community members aired their concerns on Thursday and asked what’s being done to protect their health. About 100 people from across Contra Costa County packed into John Muir Elementary School’s multi-purpose room to tell their congressman what worries them most about violations and safety records at Martinez Refining Company and neighboring refineries. The town hall came after more than 160 violations were reported at the Martinez refinery since 2020, which resulted in a $10 million penalty levied against the company earlier this year. One of the most notable incidents at the refining operation occurred in February 2025, when a fire produced thick smoke and soot fallout, prompting a four-day long public health advisory. There have also been concerns at the nearby Marathon Martinez Renewable Facility, where a worker was critically injured in a fire in 2023.