The safety of oil refinery workers in California is at the forefront of a legislative battle as lawmakers push to preserve critical protections. This effort comes amidst ongoing regulatory changes and strong opposition from the oil industry. The debate highlights the tension between worker safety and industry operations, with significant implications for public health and environmental safety.
Senate Bill 966, backed by labor unions, aims to enshrine existing worker protections into state law. These protections were established following a series of devastating refinery incidents, including a 2012 fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond that affected 15,000 people. The bill seeks to ensure that workers have the right to refuse dangerous tasks, participate in safety reviews, and report hazards without fear of retaliation.
The Push for Worker Safety Amid Industry Opposition
The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), the state’s primary oil lobby, is leading the charge against Senate Bill 966. The association argues that the bill would override a 2026 legal settlement in which the industry agreed to regulatory changes in exchange for dropping years of litigation. Zach Leary, a lobbyist for WSPA, expressed concerns about the regulatory and legislative whiplash, stating, “Unfortunately, it’s this type of regulatory and legislative whiplash that creates a business environment that is very difficult to operate in.”
Despite the industry’s opposition, the bill has gained momentum, clearing a key fiscal committee this week. The proposal is authored by State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat from Long Beach, and follows an explosion last year at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery. This incident raised new concerns about the safety of California’s aging refineries and the need for robust safety measures.
The Role of Labor Unions in Advocating for Safety
Labor unions, particularly the United Steelworkers, have been instrumental in advocating for the preservation of refinery safety rules. Nick Plurkowski, a leader of a Bay Area local of the United Steelworkers, emphasized the importance of the regulations, noting, “We’re trying to get the best regulations possible for these industries. An industry where you have to write into regulation … that it’s okay to refuse work that could lead to your death.”
The unions argue that the outcome at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) prompted the push for the worker safety measures to be written into law. Plurkowski highlighted the urgency, stating, “Part of what led to SB 966 was how quickly CalEPA folded. People’s lives are at stake, communities are at stake, we’ve learned enough lessons to know better at this point.”
The Broader Context of Refinery Safety in California
California has some of the nation’s toughest refinery safety measures, driven by past incidents such as the 2012 Richmond refinery fire and a 2015 explosion at a Torrance refinery. These incidents underscored the need for stringent safety protocols to prevent catastrophic failures. The worker rules are built around the concept of process safety which requires refineries to identify and address hazards before they lead to accidents.
The WSPA sued to block the rules in 2019, calling them unclear and invalid. California quietly settled in 2026, leading to amendments this year to refinery safety rules. However, the ongoing debate highlights the complex interplay between regulatory oversight, industry operations, and worker safety.
As California continues to grapple with high gasoline prices and global oil market fluctuations, the focus on refinery safety remains crucial. The outcome of Senate Bill 966 will have significant implications for workers, communities, and the broader effort to ensure safe and responsible oil refining practices in the state.
