Date
星期四, 二月 19, 2026
A joint prosecution by the Contra Costa District Attorney and Bay Area Air District has resulted in a $10 million penalty against Martinez Refining Company, along with compliance improvements at its Martinez refinery, and $600,000 in mitigation payments for supplemental environmental projects.
Judge Benjamin T. Reyes, II signed the final judgment on February 18, 2026. The case involved a number of violations that occurred at MRC’s refinery located at 3495 Pacheco Boulevard in the City of Martinez and unincorporated Contra Costa County between early 2020 and late 2024, including offenses under the health and safety code, business and professions code, and fish and game code.
The complaint stemmed from violations over four years, including MRC's 2022 Thanksgiving Day release of spent catalyst that covered parts of Martinez in a white ash-like substance. Other major violations included illegal flaring, fires, leaking tanks, public nuisance-level odors in downtown Martinez, and releases of “coke dust” -- a powdery oil refining byproduct -- spreading beyond the refinery's fence line onto neighboring properties. The violations are described in 163 notices of violation issued by the Air District.
This enforcement action does not include the February 1, 2025, fire at the MRC refinery. The Air District is addressing that incident through a separate enforcement action.
The $10 million penalty will be distributed as follows:
- $6.35 million to the Air District, most of which will be reinvested in beneficial projects in Martinez and the surrounding areas that were impacted by these violations under the Air District’s Community Benefits Penalty Funds Policy
- $3.5 million to the District Attorney’s Office Environmental Unit for enforcement efforts
- $100,000 to Contra Costa Health Services
- $50,000 to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
In addition to the $10 million penalty, MRC will also pay $600,000 in mitigation payments to fund supplemental environmental projects. These payments include:
- $450,000 for air filtration systems in public schools near the Martinez Refinery Company
- $100,000 to the Certified Unified Program Agency for environmental regulator scholarships
- $50,000 to Contra Costa County Fish and Game’s Community Propagation Fund to enhance the county’s fish and wildlife resources
Moreover, the judgment requires MRC to change how it operates its catalytic cracking unit to keep key emissions control equipment operational during startup and shutdown operations. The company is also required to install enhanced emissions monitoring systems on various other pieces of equipment.
The attorneys prosecuting the case include Deputy District Attorney Bryan Tierney; Assistant District Attorney Stacey Grassini; and Air District Assistant Counsel Brian Case.
View press release.
Last Updated: 2026/2/19