Tesoro Los Angeles Refinery-Carson Operations – Emissions Trend

Carson, CA · 2019–2023 · Parent: Tesoro Corp

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Tesoro Los Angeles Refinery-Carson Operations, spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 42.6K in 2019 and closed at 77.2K in 2023 – a increase of 81.5% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Ammonia at 1.8M, followed by Methanol at 126.8K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this petroleum facility.

Overall Trend
↑ Increasing (+81.5%)
2019 Total
42.6K lbs
2023 Total
77.2K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
0193.7K387.4K581.1K774.8K968.5K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 42.6K lbs 39 -
2020 968.5K lbs 39 +2175.7%
2021 87.6K lbs 39 -91.0%
2022 930.9K lbs 41 +962.1%
2023 77.2K lbs 38 -91.7%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Ammonia 3.8K 878.4K 1 878.2K 52.5K 1.8M
Methanol 11.0K 37.0K 36.8K 31.2K 10.8K 126.8K
Hydrogen cyanide - 33.0K 35.1K - - 68.1K
Carbonyl sulfide 10.0K 20 9.9K 19 2.9K 22.8K
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 7 5.1K - 7.8K 795 13.7K
Hydrogen sulfide 1.9K 2.0K 1.6K 3.2K 1.4K 10.1K
Vanadium compounds 4.1K - 1.7K 1.6K 2.2K 9.6K
Diethanolamine 411 4.6K 351 3.4K 351 9.1K
Nickel And Nickel Compounds 7.9K - - - - 7.9K
Copper And Copper Compounds - 3.5K - - 2.9K 6.4K
Cresol (mixed isomers) 295 1.1K 1.2K 1.3K 322 4.2K
Lead And Lead Compounds 1.1K 783 - 368 1.7K 4.0K
Tetrachloroethylene 15 73 951 548 577 2.2K
Phenol 33 815 12 926 279 2.1K
Benzene 61 1.5K 2 2 2 1.6K

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tesoro Los Angeles Refinery-Carson Operations getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, Tesoro Los Angeles Refinery-Carson Operations's total toxic releases have increased by approximately 81%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.