SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Chevron spokesman says the energy giant disagrees with some violations leveled against it over a San Francisco Bay Area refinery fire.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has fined Chevron nearly $1 million for last year's blaze that sent a cloud of gas and black smoke over residential areas.
Company spokesman Sean Comey acknowledged some shortcomings on the company's part in the incident, but also says Chevron is planning to appeal some of the findings.
Cal-OSHA says its investigators found "willful violations" in Chevron's response before, during and after the Aug. 6 fire in Richmond caused by an old, leaky pipe in one of the facility's crude units.
The agency filed 25 citations against oil giant Wednesday, and said the fines are the largest allowed by state law.
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