Sacramento, Calif. – On July 1, 2024, the California Assembly approved Senate Bill 674 The Refinery Pollution Reduction and Transparency Act by Majority Leader Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). The bill will create a statewide standard for air monitoring at refineries to ensure that toxic pollutants are measured, and that best practices and technologies are used to protect the health and wellbeing of the surrounding fenceline communities. Next, it is headed to the Senate for a concurrence vote, then to the Governor’s desk for approval. 

In addition to creating a statewide air monitoring standard, the bill mandates refineries to provide timely public notifications. This would include emails and text messages to be sent promptly whenever toxic emissions that could harm people’s health exceed threshold levels. The bill also requires quarterly reports, readily accessible real-time data from air monitors, third-party audits, and a root-cause analysis within 24 hours of any emissions exceedance incident. Furthermore, both the root-cause analysis and corrective action information must be made public within 14 days.

The Refinery Pollution Reduction and Transparency Act reflects years of investigative work, research, and grassroots advocacy led by environmental justice community leaders and organizations. Many of these advocates live in pollution-burdened communities, experiencing firsthand the health impacts on themselves, their families, friends, and neighbors. While this legislation will not address all the environmental issues burdening our communities, it is robust and comprehensive, designed to ensure transparency from refineries regarding the toxic pollution they emit. This transparency is vital to safeguarding public health.

“Our fenceline communities deserve clean air and a healthy future, and today’s victory with SB 674 marks a significant step forward,” said Majority Leader Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “When we have standardized, easy-to-access information and more transparency about the toxic pollution being released into our neighborhoods, we can empower our communities and drive bigger impact. I am thankful for the hard work of our strong coalition of environmental justice advocates and supporters who helped us get here. I also want to thank Assembly Speaker Rivas for his leadership and my colleagues in the Legislature for their support and collaboration. As the bill moves to its final step, I urge Governor Newsom to sign this bill into law.”  

“SB 674 is crucial for California residents like me, who've lived near refineries for decades in West Long Beach and Carson. SB 674 doesn't solve all the exposures we deal with, but it is a commitment to understanding the toxic air pollution fenceline communities have been breathing for years,” said Jan Victor Andasan, Community Organizer at East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. “We commend Speaker Rivas for leading this bill. We are hopeful that the Senate and Governor Newsom will uphold environmental justice and swiftly turn this much-needed bill into law."

“For too long, communities living next to dangerous refineries have been denied transparency about the toxic emissions this industry spews into homes, schools, and churches every day,” said Oscar Espino-Padron, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice’s Community Partnerships Program. “SB 674 closes senseless loopholes and sets up the robust state-wide air monitoring system that families and workers deserve. We applaud Speaker Rivas' leadership in getting SB 674 one step closer to becoming law. And we urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 674 without delay when it reaches his desk.”

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Majority Leader Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which encompasses the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles, including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. In the Senate, she advocates for working families and champions various priorities, such as fighting for a clean environment, digital equity, LGBTQ+ and women's rights, and the economic prosperity of small businesses. Her landmark legislative achievements include bills enacted to end neighborhood oil drilling, provide broadband for all, and expand paid sick leave. Majority Leader Gonzalez also serves as Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more about Majority Leader Gonzalez, visit her website at www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez. 

East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ) is a community-based organization that works to facilitate self-advocates in East Los Angeles, Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach. EYCEJ is working towards a safe and healthy environment for communities that are disproportionately suffering the negative impacts of industrial pollution.

Earthjustice’s Community Partnerships Program (CPP) provides legal and advocacy resources to local leaders demanding a safe, just, and healthy environment in which their communities can thrive – no matter how long the fight. CPP works hand-in-hand with frontline communities to remove environmental hazards and secure access to environmental benefits. CPP acts collectively with our community partners to challenge harmful social and political structures, and to improve the environmental conditions in neighborhoods. CPP supports community-led movements using a full range of advocacy strategies to challenge the status quo.