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City officials press ahead with lawsuit following 2012 Chevron refinery fire

on December 18, 2014

Two years after a series of explosions and fires tore through Chevron’s Richmond refinery, city officials are pressing ahead with their lawsuit against the oil giant.

“It’s important for the city of Richmond to continue pursuing this lawsuit because that’s the only way that we’ll be able to hold Chevron accountable for how they do business,” newly elected City Councilman Eduardo Martinez said.

Thousands went to area hospitals for respiratory problems and other ailments following the 2012 blaze.

“There were over 15,000 people in this community alone that were impacted by that fire over at the Chevron refinery,” Reverend Kenneth Davis said.

Chevron pleaded no contest to six criminal charges related to the fire and agreed to pay $2 million as part of a plea deal with state and county prosecutors.

The city’s lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages including compensation for emergency response, environmental cleanup and loss of property values.

In a statement, Chevron said the city’s lawsuit is “meritless.” The city’s biggest taxpayer and supporter of non-profits said they provided $10 million to area hospitals, local agencies and responded to valid claims.

7 Comments

  1. […] had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



  2. […] had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



  3. […] had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



  4. […] that had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



  5. […] that had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



  6. […] that had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



  7. […] had mostly been famous for its crime rate and for Chevron’s toxic refinery emissions, which periodically create emergencies, sometimes requiring everyone to take shelter (and pretend that they are not […]



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