This project will leverage the natural experiment afforded by a recent oil refinery closure in northern CA, state-of-the-science air quality modeling, and a unique dataset of ambient air pollution…

This project will leverage the natural experiment afforded by a recent oil refinery closure in northern CA, state-of-the-science air quality modeling, and a unique dataset of ambient air pollution monitoring data to quantify the impacts of refinery emissions on local air quality and community health and compare present conditions to alternate scenarios of refinery retirement and biofuel conversion.activities:specifically, the project will: 1) utilize the 2020 closure of the marathon oil refinery in martinez, california as a natural experiment to quantify the impacts of oil refining on rates of preterm birth, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations; 2) model the air quality, health, and economic impacts of retiring the four operational oil refineries in the SAN francisco BAY area and compare them to alternative scenarios of retrofit to biofuel production; and 3) engage community members and advocates in study design and results dissemination and the development of a web-based interactive tool to inform petroleum refinery conversion or retirement.subrecipient:subawardee university of california berkeley will be involved in the development and implementation of the study design as well as in the data analysis, interpretation and dissemination of study results. The requested amount is $196,558. Subawardee PSE energy will be involved in air quality modeling, health impact assessment, and development of an online refinery retirement and retrofit data visualization tool. The requested amount is $390,000. Subawardee asian pacific environmental network will support the project by providing advice to the study team, assisting in results translation and dissemination, and participating in and coordinating regular community advisory committee meetings. The requested amount is $200,440.outcomes:deliverables include annual and final research reports. Other expected deliverables include journal publications documenting research findings on link between health and air quality impacts of oil refinery operations. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of the aggregate air quality and health benefits of retiring or retrofitting multiple petroleum refineries in a disproportionately impacted region. Direct beneficiaries of this project include the residents living near oil refineries in the SAN francisco BAY area as well as researchers working with similar communities to address air quality degradation and public health concerns associated with oil refining for energy production.