CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : MARTINEZ : Shell Refinery Lacks Permits, Critic Says

Shell Oil failed to obtain proper permits and submit to air pollution testing when the company started exporting crude oil from its Contra Costa County refinery 10 years ago, officials charged. County Supervisor Nancy Fahden said a study shows that Shell has one of the largest crude oil exporting facilities in the Bay Area--an activity that releases toxic chemicals into the air. Shell maintains that the refinery has never violated air quality standards but promised to do its best to control pollution. County Public Health Director Wendel Brunner urged Shell to immediately install devices to control the release of hydrocarbon vapors.