Proposed Revised Project

In 2005, Chevron proposed the Hydrogen and Energy Renewal Project at the Richmond Refinery. In 2008, the City of Richmond certified the Original Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and issued permits for the project. In 2010, a court ordered that the Original EIR be set aside.

Chevron has reduced the overall scope of the Original Project (the Revised Project). The Revised Project, primarily, would complete construction and make operational the Hydrogen Plant Replacement and Hydrogen Purity (sulfur removal) Improvement of the Original Project. The Revised Project would not include the Catalytic Reformer Replacement, Power Plant Replacement, and Other New and Replacement Facilities (storage tanks, control building and central maintenance building) that were part of the original project.

 

Environmental Review

The City of Richmond is the Lead Agency for the Revised Project and will prepare a Revised Environmental Impact Report (Revised EIR). The Revised EIR will comply with the court decision regarding the Original EIR and address the reduced scope of the Revised Project.

The Revised EIR will be prepared for the purpose of considering the issuance of a conditional use permit and design review permit for the Revised Project. In addition to the City permits, Chevron, the project sponsor, must obtain an Authority to Construct from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and comply with all applicable plans, rules and regulations of the BAAQMD with respect to air emissions resulting from the Revised Project.

 

Education and Outreach

Apart from environmental review hearings that are part of the decision-making process, the City will hold public workshops and educational meetings on topics related to the Revised Project. Four educational sessions were held in 2011 on July 25, August 22, September 29 and October 19. One session was held in 2012 on April 4. These sessions did not address the Revised Project or the Revised EIR, but provided basic information helpful for understanding some of the key technical topics that are likely to be included in the Revised EIR (See Meetings).

After the publication of the Draft Revised EIR, the City will hold an intensive one-day review session of the Draft EIR as well as a more general, two-hour workshop on a separate date.

All are encouraged to participate in these meetings.

 

Contact

For more information, contact Lina Velasco, Senior Planner, lina_velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us