Scores of residents in Martinez, California, gathered in an elementary school auditorium to confront local officials about the safety of nearby refineries. Many said they are tired of living in the shadow of facilities they consider accident-prone and want to know what the government is doing to protect them.
The meeting centered on two refineries: Marathon Martinez Renewables and Martinez Refining Co. Both have a history of incidents that have left the community on edge. Residents made clear that they see the current level of oversight as insufficient to keep them safe.
The push for stronger regulation reflects a broader pattern of communities near industrial sites demanding more accountability. For now, the residents of Martinez are pressing their officials to act, hoping to avoid the next accident before it happens.