Frequently Asked Questions

Current status?

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is currently preparing a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Initial Study (IS) for the Los Angeles Refinery Modernization Projects.

To learn more about the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process and how to get involved, visit the South Coast AQMD Permitting Information page on this site.

To sign up for updates from the South Coast AQMD please sign up here. (Note: This link provides notices for all CEQA activities from the South Coast AQMD, not an individual project.)

How does this affect me?

At the Los Angeles Refinery, Marathon’s mission is to safely provide a reliable and affordable supply of transportation fuels to California.

That is why Marathon is exploring ways to improve operations at its Los Angeles Refinery—ensuring it can continue serving local neighbors, families, and the state while minimizing market disruptions that could negatively impact fuel prices.  

What is a Notice of Preparation and Initial Study (NOP/IS)?

As required by CEQA, the South Coast AQMD has prepared a NOP/IS for the proposed projects to: 1) inform the public about the projects, 2) announce that an EIR is being developed, and 3) invite input from agencies and the public on the scope of the environmental analysis through a scoping meeting and public comment period.

What happens after the NOP/IS?

Following the NOP/IS, its scoping meeting, and comment period, the South Coast AQMD will prepare an EIR to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed projects. The public will also be able to review and comment on the draft EIR. This step is required before any permits can be issued.

How long will construction take?

Once the project has been fully analyzed and the permits have been issued, then construction may begin, and each of the projects has different timelines for construction. Ultimately, construction cannot begin until the South Coast AQMD issues permits.

Will there be any community impacts associated with construction?

Construction impacts for the Los Angeles Refinery Modernization Projects will be evaluated in the draft EIR.

How many jobs will this project create if approved?

The construction for the Los Angeles Refinery Modernization Projects is anticipated to create ~1.1 million hours of labor. Marathon is committed to utilizing local skilled union labor personnel as part of the construction efforts.