Marathon Petroleum to Close Its Martinez Refinery and Convert it to an oil-storage facility 800 job cuts planned with shutdown plan that also includes a Texas refinery
by Edwin Seba (Retuers/Mercury News) Marathon Petroleum plans to permanently close its oil refineries in Martinez and Gallup, New Mexico, the company said, eliminating 800 jobs in response to lower fuels demand.
Marathon said it plans to use the Martinez facility as an oil-storage facility and is evaluating its future use to produce renewable diesel, a fuel made from industry waste and used cooking oil. Martinez is California’s fourth largest refinery.
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The largest U.S. refiner by volume had earlier idled the two facilities following weak demand due to COVID-19 outbreaks in the United States. U.S. refiners on average idled about 20% of total processing capacity on falling vehicle and air travel. READ MORE
Shutdown of Marathon’s Martinez Refinery Prompts Calls for ‘Just Transition’ for Oil Workers (KQED)
Marathon applies for permits for Martinez renewable diesel project (Hydrocarbon Engineering)
California plant gearing up for renewable diesel (Biofuels International)
Marathon Petroleum to Proceed with Conversion of Martinez Refinery to Renewable Fuels Facility (Marathon Petroleum)
Excerpt from KQED: Some environmentalists and union advocates have used the term “just transition” to explain a fair way of getting fossil fuel industry workers and their surrounding communities, businesses and local governments to move into a green energy economy.
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Marathon says its Martinez refinery will be converted to an oil storage facility. The company says it’s considering turning the facility into a renewable diesel facility.
“The Marathon refinery’s (potential) conversion into a renewable diesel facility is a forecast of the future as the demand for fossil fuels declines over time, resulting in healthier air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. READ MORE