Excess emissions during ExxonMobil refinery start-up subject of AQMD meeting in Torrance

The region’s air pollution watchdog will hold a March 19 public hearing in Torrance to consider a proposed order that could allow ExxonMobil to violate emission standards as it restarts gasoline refining equipment damaged in last year’s explosion.

The Feb. 18, 2015, blast crippled the refinery’s ability to manufacture gasoline and sent pump prices soaring statewide.

The meeting hosted by the five-member South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Board is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive.

“(The order) allows a facility to operate for a specified time out of compliance with our rules and regulations because complying would be infeasible,” agency spokesman Sam Atwood said. “While doing so, it will have to meet very specific conditions to mitigate to the maximum extent possible any excess pollution.”

Those conditions won’t be made public until the week of the meeting, he said.

ExxonMobil has notified the agency that a new start-up process lasting for up to 120 hours — necessary for safety reasons — is likely to cause more pollution than usual in comparison to previous start-ups. During that time, pollution-control devices will not be operational.

Residents are invited to testify at what is considered a quasi-judicial hearing that could be continued to subsequent days in other locations.

Eight copies of any exhibits are required.

Members of the public interested in attending the hearing are asked to notify the clerk of the board at 909-396-2500.

- - , .