04 Sep Air District Fines Richmond Chemical Company for Alleged Violations Over 10-Year Period

By Kiley Russell
Bay City News

A Richmond chemical company is facing a $160,000 fine for alleged air quality violations spanning 10 years, according to the Bay Area Air District.

Chemtrade West US LLC operates a sulfuric acid manufacturing plant that is connected to Chevron’s Richmond refinery.

Between 2013 and 2023, Chemtrade allegedly failed to monitor and record pressure in its “venturi scrubber,” an emergency abatement device, allegedly failed to abate internal combustion engine emissions and allegedly failed to report violations on time, air district officials said in a news release Wednesday.

All the violations have been fixed, air district officials said.

A company representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some of the money from the fine will be used in the local community to support projects aimed at reducing pollution and improving public health.

The Toronto-based company supplies sulfur, water chemical and electrochemical products to various industries, including water treatment, agriculture, pulp and paper, oil refining and food production, according to its website.

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