2011-03-18 "Valero Refinery experiences problem with flaring" from "Vallejo Times-Herald" newspaper
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_17644420]
BENICIA -- Valero Benicia Refinery experienced an upset in one of its processing units Thursday afternoon that led to flaring, a refinery official said.
Valero and Benicia emergency personnel responded at about 2:35 p.m. to the refinery at 3400 E. Second St.
The unit was isolated and there were no injuries, refinery spokeswoman Sue Fisher said.
"An investigation is under way," Fisher said. "We expect flaring to continue intermittently over the next 24 hours or so as the unit is prepared for a restart."
Flaring is a regulated safety measure designed to burn off excess gas in an environmentally sound manner when processing units are taken out of service.
The Valero Benicia Refinery this week completed startup activities after a prolo