Refinery Admits Needs To Clean Up Policy

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- It was billed as a showdown. Big West Refinery officials versus state Sen. Dean Florez. And it didn't disappoint as it was a standing-room only public hearing.

During Thursday night's meeting at City Hall, Florez brought his senate government committee to Bakersfield with questions for Big West Refinery official Bill Chadick.

Dozens turned out to watch as Florez grilled Big West Refinery officials about last month’s ammonia leak at the facility.

At one point during the meeting, Chadick said, "I am really not an expert on the ammonia cloud,”

Florez responded, “And your title again is?”

“Health, safety and environmental director,” Chadick said. The crowd then let out a gasp. Florez then said he was trying to understand how an official with such a title could not be an expert on such leaks.

Florez claims Big West Refinery failed to notify emergency responders following the leak and didn't report it to environmental health.

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Big West Refinery employees raised their voices several times during hearing, at times interrupting the senator. For the most part the hearing was civil.

Chadick said the refinery is reexamining its procedures. He admitted the refinery’s reporting protocols don’t meet state and county expectations and said that Big West Refinery can benefit from improving their protocols.

The meeting didn't focus on the plant's expansion plans. However, Florez said that how Big West handles the ammonia issue will indicate whether an expansion is warranted.