Concord, Martinez named in propane recall

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 17, 2009 | by Tony Burchyns

BENICIA -- Valero is recalling 919,000 barrels of propane due to fire and explosion risks because it was accidently distributed without the added odor that alerts people to leaks, a refinery spokesman said today.

The voluntary recall includes propane that may have been purchased by retailers in Concord and Martinez, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

"There is no indication the propane has gotten to end-use consumers," Valero spokesman Bill Day said.

Customers are asked to contact suppliers to have their propane tested, federal agents say.

No injuries or incidents linked to the gas had been reported, Day said.

The propane in question may lack enough added fragrance to alert customers to leaks, Day said. Failure to detect the naturally odorless gas can lead to fire or explosion.

The recall, announced Thursday, applies to California, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Benicia's Valero refinery is not tied to the problem, officials said. In California, some of the gas was manufactured in Long Beach, Day said.

Locally, Amerigas Propane in Concord and Suburban Propane in Martinez may have purchased some of the barrels, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission officials said.

Customers who bought or had propane delivered from January 2008 to this October are advised to contact their retail dealers to have their tanks tested and protective odor added if needed, officials say.

Information available from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 866-940-8235 or visit www.propanerecall.com.

Reach staff writer Tony Burchyns at tburchyns@thnewsnet.com or 707-553-6831.