In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the adoption of Ordinance Number 24-14, aimed at enhancing safety regulations for facilities that store large quantities of flammable liquids. This ordinance amends Chapter 450-8 of the county ordinance code to introduce new process safety requirements specifically for above-ground tanks with a capacity of at least 50,000 gallons, which contain a minimum of 10,000 gallons of flammable substances.

The initiative follows the 2019 NuStar facility explosion, which resulted in significant community disruption and prompted a thorough investigation by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The investigation highlighted the need for improved safety measures, leading to the formation of an industrial safety ordinance working group that included health department officials, industry representatives, and community members.

Nicole Heath, presenting the ordinance, emphasized the collaborative effort that went into developing the amendments, which were finalized after extensive discussions and public input. The proposed changes aim to prevent incidents similar to the NuStar explosion by implementing nine key process safety prevention program elements, including a comprehensive management system to oversee safety protocols.

The ordinance is set to be presented to the Richmond City Council in the coming weeks, with hopes that it will also encourage the Martinez City Council to adopt similar safety measures for local facilities. Currently, eight facilities across Contra Costa County, including three in unincorporated areas and four in Richmond, will be affected by the new regulations. The health department will continue to evaluate additional facilities annually to ensure ongoing compliance and safety improvements.