Black smoke from Chevron Refinery not a risk, officials say

Chevron smokestacks in the distance with the city and highway in the foreground.

A dark cloud of smoke rose from Chevron’s Richmond Refinery Thursday morning, alarming some nearby residents, but oil company officials said the smoke resulted from routine maintenance and poses no health risks to the community. Melissa Ritchie, a Chevron spokeswoman, said the occasional flaring is a “normal and important part to keeping the refinery running safely.”…

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Chevron backs Moving Forward coalition

The Chevron-funded campaign committee Moving Forward spent more than $100,000 in support of council candidates Gary Bell, Nat Bates and Bea Roberson between Aug. 9 and Sept. 28, campaign disclosures filed with the City Clerk show. Moving Forward’s money comes solely from a $1.2 million contribution from Chevron.

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Richmond High competes in E-Bike Challenge

On Thursday afternoon at Richmond High School’s football stadium, the air was filled with cheers and applause as racers took their mark on the track field. But instead of relays, hurdles, and sprints, the racers were on electric bicycles they had built from scratch. Technology students at Richmond High School’s Engineering Partnership Academy participated in…

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City spends 1.8 million on transMETRO despite disputes

The City Council decided last week to spend most of a $2 million tax settlement with Chevron on a conditional contract with transMETRO, a transportation consulting service that will help the city implement a greenhouse-gas reduction program. Although the majority of the council appeared to enthusiastically embrace the contract, an amendment added at the meeting…

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