community newsletter

We recognize that the community is concerned with flaring and the noise and visual effects it may create. We have created this guide, with information from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), to help residents better understand what flaring is, what we do to prevent it, and how we minimize it.

Did you know?

BAAQMD’s flare regulations are some of the first and most stringent flare monitoring rules in the nation. The goal is to minimize the frequency and magnitude of flaring. Since adoption of the regulations, flaring events at Bay Area refineries, including Richmond, have been significantly reduced.

“Our number one goal is to keep the refinery running safely and reliably, so we can protect our workforce and the community. We all take this very seriously and do everything we can to avoid flaring. If we do have to flare, our teams work hard to reduce or stop it as soon as possible.”

read the full Q&A

Air monitoring is one of the tools used to understand neighborhood air emissions and increase transparency. The Richmond Refinery funds an independently operated community air monitoring program. In addition, there are a number of other public and private sources of air monitoring data that the community is able to access.