Sacramento - Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) issued the following statement regarding the pipe failure at Chevron's Richmond facility that was examined in a technical report released today by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in cooperation with Cal/OSHA.

"The Chemical Safety Board has confirmed Cal/OSHA's finding that the pipe at the Chevron refinery was badly corroded, had been for many years, and that Chevron was aware of the condition well before last year's August fire.

Today's finding by the Chemical Safety Board following the citation by Cal/OSHA of willful violations demonstrates once again that Chevron has failed to properly monitor facilities, and that the Richmond refinery fire could have been prevented.

Richmond and the entire East Bay need assurances that our refineries will be operated safely. Monetary penalties alone may not suffice.

Additional actions necessary to ensure accountability and the public's safety will be clear once the investigation by the Chemical Safety Board and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are fully complete."

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Elected in 2008, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) represents the 15th Assembly District, which includes Hercules, Pinole, El Sobrante, San Pablo, Richmond, El Cerrito, Kensington, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont and parts of Oakland. Skinner serves as Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee.

CONTACT: Tracie Morales, Communications Director, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (510) 286-1400; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it