Refinery Near Hercules, Pinole Among Top 10 Releasers of Chemicals: EPA

Toxic chemicals managed, treated or released into the environment from facilities operating in California increased in 2011 compared to 2010, and one of the top 10 facilities releasing chemicals that year was the Conoco Phillips refinery in Rodeo a few miles northeast of Hercules and Pinole.

Findings for 2011 were released Wednesday Jan. 16, and they are the most current available, Michael Ardito of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a phone interview from San Francisco.

A list of the top 10 chemical releases, and a list of the top 10 facilities releasing chemicals, is part of the latest Toxics Release Inventory data published by the EPA online.

"Community Right-to-Know data helps all of us remain aware of the types and amounts of chemicals being used in our neighborhoods," Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said in a statement released Jan. 16. "It is great to see pollution prevention activities at reporting facilities, and we encourage them to reduce their chemical releases via this method."

The Conoco Phillips refinery in Rodeo is at 1380 San Pablo Ave. According to the EPA, the refinery released 896,733 pounds of chemicals into the environment in 2011.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/region9/tri/report/11.

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