Gas Release from Philips 66 Refinery in Rodeo Causing Concern in Benicia

The gaseous smell that greeted morning walkers in Benicia was the result of a leak at the Phillips 66 oil refinery in Rodeo.  The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials team and the county’s health department are on the and have determined that the leak created a “non-harmful nuisance odor,” according to Division Chief Nick Thomas of the Benicia Fire Department.

Ground level monitors in Benicia that track air quality did show an uptick in hydrogen sulfide, a colorless, flammable gas that has a rotten egg smell.

“We’re obligated to maintain and to report when we see trends of data from those monitors,” said Chris Howe of the Valero Benicia Valero Refinery.

“Just prior to 8 a.m. was the height of the readings but they are back to normal now,” said Benicia Fire Chief Steve Vucurevich who also reported that the City has received nearly 400 phone calls about the odor.

Because the concentration of hydrogen sulfide was well below harmful levels the CAN system was not used.

Benicia Patch will update this story when more information becomes available.

The Phillips 66 Refinery information phone number is (510) 245-4070.

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