Sacramento, Calif. – On August 19, 2024, Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 674 The Refinery Pollution Reduction and Transparency Act by Majority Leader Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). SB 674 aimed to strengthen protections for fenceline communities living and working near refineries, safeguarding their health from harmful air pollution, including toxic chemical odors, explosions, and leaks. The bill would have achieved this by establishing a statewide standard for air monitoring at refineries, ensuring toxic pollutants were measured and best practices used to prevent and address dangerous incidents that have impacted fenceline communities for years. 

The robust policy had numerous research-based provisions such as requiring refineries to provide timely public notifications, including emails and texts, when toxic emissions exceed threshold levels. It would have also required quarterly reports, readily accessible real-time air monitor data, third-party audits, and a root-cause analysis within 24 hours of an incident. Furthermore, both the root-cause analysis and corrective actions would have been required to be made public within 14 days.

The Refinery Pollution Reduction and Transparency Act represents years of tireless advocacy by environmental justice leaders and community members, including Earthjustice’s Community Partnerships Program and East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ). Here’s what they, along with Majority Leader Gonzalez, had to say:

“This is a devastating blow to the years of hard work and advocacy by communities affected by refinery air pollution,” said Majority Leader Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). “Fenceline communities urgently need improved air monitoring, and it shouldn’t be this difficult to establish a system that provides them with the most basic necessities—transparency and information about the toxic chemicals being released into their neighborhoods. I am deeply disappointed by this outcome, but we cannot walk away from this issue. Our communities demand and deserve stronger protections.”

"Governor Newsom's decision not to sign SB 674 is a setback for communities like mine in West Long Beach and Carson, who have been fighting for clean air and transparency for decades," said Jan Victor Andasan, community organizer at East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. "SB 674 was a crucial step in understanding and addressing the toxic air pollution that fenceline communities have been breathing for years. This decision leaves us vulnerable, but our fight for environmental justice is far from over. We will continue to demand the protection and transparency our communities deserve." 

“For years, vulnerable communities have been pleading for transparency and protection from the toxic emissions that refineries spew into their homes, schools, and neighborhoods,” said Oscar Espino-Padron, senior attorney at Earthjustice’s Community Partnerships Program. “Governor Newsom’s decision not to sign SB 674 is a disappointing blow to these communities and a missed opportunity to enact meaningful change that could have saved lives and improved public health. This setback will not deter our efforts and we will keep pushing for the transparency and safeguards that our communities deserve” 

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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.