Almost exactly one year after the Martinez Refining Company scattered 20 tons of toxic, metal-laden dust on surrounding neighborhoods, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office and other agencies on Thursday announced a “joint civil enforcement action” against the refinery.
A civil enforcement action could serve as a precursor to a lawsuit, although that isn’t guaranteed. Instead, attorneys will now enter a process with MRC to “get them back in environmental compliance,” according to Ted Asregadoo, a public information officer with the District Attorney’s office. Those negotiations will be based on the notices of violations that have previously been filed by the various participating agencies.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management district, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Contra Costa County Health are also involved in the joint civil action.
“This partnership combines our prosecutorial resources to help ensure we achieve the best possible results for the residents of Martinez,” said Alexander Crockett, Chief Counsel of the Air District in a statement.
The move comes after a series of high-profile chemical releases at the refinery over the last year, broken trust with the community, and the creation of a new activist class intent on redefining the relationship between the city of Martinez and the refinery.
Asregadoo said the refinery was aware of the action prior to the announcement.
“They are open to this process,” Asregadoo said. “They haven’t put up any major roadblocks.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com