To: Teresa Sabol Spezio

From: Anthony Shing

Date: 11/11/22
Executive Summary of 2014 Chevron Refinery Modernization Project EIR

1. Project Focus
In 2011, the city of Richmond received a proposal from the Chevron energy company to complete an
EIR on a project calling for the modernization and retrofitting of several buildings in their
Richmond Refinery. This EIR was written as a scaled down version of a proposed EIR approved in
2008. Although that EIR was approved by the city, the Contra Costa Superior Court ordered a writ of
mandamus, citing concerns regarding a lack of definition surrounding the scope of the project’s
expansion of crude oil blend processing as well as a lack of analysis on how the project sought to
limit greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2011 EIR serves as a down-sized version of the 2008 EIR that incorporates these
environmental concerns through safe, reliable infrastructure and emission reduction technology
improvements on the refinery site. Through this modernization project, the refinery seeks to
upgrade existing facilities by replacing older equipment and ensuring that these replacements do
not have a net increase in GHG emissions and public health risk. They are pursuing two
improvement projects, which consist of replacement of the existing hydrogen plant and
technological improvements to sulfur removal units. The new hydrogen plant will be more energy
efficient and lead to higher quality hydrogen outputs. Improved sulfur removal technology will
allow the refinery to process additional quantities of crude oil blends containing more sulfur.

2. Alternatives
Within the EIR, five feasible alternatives to the projects are defined, with combinations of
alternative projects listed as well. Like any EIR document, a ‘no project’ alternative is detailed. There
are two alternatives that directly limit the capacity of the two main proposed improvements
projects. The Reduced Sulfur Processing Alternative seeks to reduce the amount of sulfur recovered
every day to 750 long tons per day, a reduction from the 900 long tons per day capacity increase
proposed under the current project plan. Similarly, the Hydrogen Cap Alternative would limit the
amount of hydrogen produced by the new plant to a maximum of 197 million metric square cubic
feet per day.

As a supplement to the proposed modernization plan, a Renewable Energy Alternative would build
an 8 megawatt photovoltaic solar facility on 40 acres of land adjacent to the refinery site, producing
electricity for the site and the electric grid. Environmental concerns are also addressed through the
Carbon Intensity Cap Alternative, which would require the refinery to not exceed greenhouse gas
emission averages from a 2008-2010 baseline period. Some alternative combinations are also
suggested, with a Reduced Sulfur Processing Alternative combined with greenhouse gas emission
limit cap.
The preferred alternative was defined as the Environmentally Superior Alternative among the
proposed alternatives. Even though most of the alternatives were unable to reach the project’s goal
of no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions and health impacts, the Reduced Sulfur Processing
Alternative with a GHG emission cap combination was shown to be the most environmentally
sustainable. Analysis of the environmental impacts of this alternative shows that reducing the sulfur
processing unit’s capacity would reduce transportation and public health impacts.

3. Environmental Impacts
Within the EIR, possible environmental impacts are defined, and mitigation and improvement
measures are proposed for each impact. The city has recommended that each mitigation policy be
implemented, and Chevron has agreed to implement these improvement measures. After the
implementation of these mitigation measures, the EIR defines the listed environmental impacts at a
significance level of LTS, less than significant. Pre mitigation significant impacts are defined in the
table below.

Most of the pre-mitigation significant environmental impacts defined in the EIR are direct impacts
related to the construction of the two improvement projects, with potential noise and traffic
disturbances and wildlife displacement. Hazardous waste will be generated during construction as
well as through expanded project operations. In addition, changes to existing infrastructure may
lead to increased risk of accidental releases of hazardous waste, impacting the safety of workers and
the surrounding community.

Looking at cumulative impacts, there is a focus on air quality. By modernizing the sulfur removal
units, this allows the refinery to not only process crude oil with higher amounts of sulfur, but also
refine higher quantities of crude oil. As a result, the operation of these units are projected to
increase emissions of greenhouse gasses, criteria air pollutants (CAPs), toxic air contaminants
(TACs), and sulfur compounds if no suggested mitigation is implemented. No significant air
pollutants are noted for the modernization of the hydrogen plant.

5. Table of All Significant Impacts

Table 1: This table outlines the pre mitigation significant environmental impacts that may result from this
refinery modernization project.
Category of Impact Description of Impacts

Air Quality ● Construction-related localized dust pollution.

● Future construction activities related to this project in the short term
may release gasses that lead to ground level ozone that exceed the Bay
Area Air Quality District (BAAQMD) thresholds.
● Operation of the modernization project will lead to increased emissions
of criteria air pollutants (CAPs): carbon monoxide, ground-level ozone,
lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.
● Increased shipping of crude oil blends would result in higher toxic air
contaminant (TAC) emissions that exceed BAAQMD thresholds.
● Processing of crude and gas oils with higher sulfur levels may increase
emissions of sulfur compounds and TACs.
● Increased odors related to sulfur processing.
Biological Resources ● Construction-related impacts on vulnerable wildlife populations of
special-status.

Cultural Resources ● No significant cultural resources were identified on the site, but there is
a possibility of finding archaeological resources during excavation
actions.
● No significant paleontological or geological sites were identified, but
there is a possibility of finding paleontological resources during
excavation actions.
● There is the possibility of uncovering human remains.

Greenhouse Gasses ● Despite mitigation strategies during construction, greenhouse gas

emissions might surpass 10,000 metric tons.
● Project operations would result in greenhouse gas emissions in excess of
the BAAQMD maximum threshold of 10,000 metric tons, requiring the
implementation of mitigation strategies.

Hydrology and Water ● Construction projects may lead to changes in the quality and quantity of
Quality water runoff into neighboring water bodies.
● Construction projects may lead to soil contamination that may impact
groundwater quality.
● New structures built through the project are vulnerable to future
flooding events.

Noise ● Construction activities during the weekend or night time may exceed
City of Richmond noise limits

Public Safety ● Hazardous materials will be used during construction, but are stored
securely under mitigation measures.
● Hazardous and construction waste created during construction.
● Project operations would create additional quantities of hazardous
waste which would have to be transported and disposed of.
● Changes to existing infrastructure as a result of the modernization
project may lead to increased risk of accidental releases of hazardous
waste.
● While the modernization project remains within the refinery site, past
accidents resulting in hazardous waste release have impacted the
surrounding community and schools
● The modernization project is located near fire-prone vegetation, making
surrounding areas at risk of fires.
● Project operations could lead to cumulative risk of accidental release of
hazardous substances.

Transportation and ● Traffic volumes would increase during construction at nearby roads and
Traffic intersections.
● Heavy truck traffic would increase during construction, which could
damage public roads.