Commission reviews Chevron modernization annual compliance report; consultants report no net increase in emissions and fewer flaring events in 2024
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Summary
Staff and Ramboll presented Chevron's eighth annual compliance report for its modernization project (2024 operations). Presenters said there was no net increase in criteria pollutants, utilization was 84% (below a 93% mitigation trigger) and flaring events fell from 25 in 2023 to 11 in 2024; staff proposed shifting public presentations to every three years unless changes occur.
The Richmond Planning Commission received the eighth annual compliance report on Chevron's refinery modernization project on January 15, covering operations for 2024. The presentation was informational; no commission vote was required.
Sarah Manzano, the city's contracted reviewer from Ramboll, said the modernization includes a new hydrogen plant and sulfur-recovery improvements and that 2024 was the first full year of operations for those systems. Manzano said the operational emissions-tracking tool Ramboll uses shows "no net increase" in criteria air pollutants or toxic air contaminants compared with the EIR baseline and that greenhouse gas emissions did not increase compared to the baseline. She added facility utilization in 2024 was 84%, below the 93% threshold that would trigger extra mitigation under the MMRP.
Ramboll reported flaring events trended down: "There were 11 flaring events in 2024 compared to 25 in 2023," Manzano said. She also noted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) receives and reviews flaring notifications and that Chevron prepared a flare prevention and minimization assessment under a 2024 settlement with BAAQMD. Manzano said the city's compliance review cross-checks Chevron's emissions estimates with BAAQMD monitoring and other sources.
Jeff Braun, Chevron Richmond's business improvement manager, described the project's economic role and community investments, saying Chevron supports a regional workforce and cited volunteer and donation totals offered by the company. Braun said Chevron has invested "over $20,000,000" to reduce refinery-wide flaring and improve reliability. Commissioners asked whether the idling of other regional refineries would change Richmond's permitted capacity; Chevron representatives said any change would require permit modifications and that the modernization CUP limits production without permit changes.
Staff proposed moving the public presentation to the planning commission from an annual to a three-year schedule unless construction resumes or a material change is reported; commissioners suggested a condition that would require a presentation if construction recommences.
