Controversy over the Big West refinery expansion has focused on one thing in recent weeks: which toxic chemical would be safest, modified HF or sulfuric acid.

But a revised environmental report out Friday contained a bit of a surprise.

How about neither?

The 3,000 page report examines a wide range of impacts on everything from wildlife to odors and traffic. But in a section called "alternatives" it also describes a process that would allow Big West to boost its diesel and gasoline output while allaying community concerns about hazardous chemicals.

The alternative appears to be a sound compromise that would allow the expansion to move forward while assuring the surrounding community there will be no new dangers from toxic chemicals.

Big West wasn't available to comment on the alternative Friday but said they will discuss it Monday.

You can read the section on alternatives by downloading the Refinery Alternatives PDF on this page. Scroll down a bit and it's on the left beneath the 'PDFs' heading.

Anyone think this option will get some traction? Or do you expect the issue to remain polarized between sulfuric acid and modified hydrofluoric acid?

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These are days when I love my job. I spent the afternoon with my jeans rolled up to my knees wading through a small stream trying to find a beaver.

This morning we received a report of another tree lost to the animal along the bike path near the Park at Riverwalk. As you may recall, this is the same area where at least nine cottonwoods were mowed down by a beaver in January. (See this story to read about that incident and the ensuing controversy that gained national attention.)

There's a small stream of water that runs from the bike path out toward the Kern River bed, so I decided to follow it and see what I found.

No beaver sighting -- not a big surprise since they're nocturnal -- but along the way I passed numerous trees that had been felled and chewed, and I even spotted a small dam.

I put the pics in the accompanying slideshow (click on the photos to the left).

It's time for Big West to answer a few questions ... again.

As promised, state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, will hold a senate committee hearing in Bakersfield Thursday night regarding the Bakersfield refinery's response to a recent ammonia leak as well as the company's handling of past spills and leaks.

As you may recall, county supervisors held a similar hearing a couple weeks ago following the ammonia release that ended with a pledge from Big West that it would contact local emergency crews whenever a leak occurs, no matter how small or inconsequential.

Thursday's hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at Bakersfield City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Ave.

Here's today's press release from Florez's office:

Senator seeks accountability from Big West for leaks
 
Underreporting heightens concerns as company proposes using even more toxic chemicals
 
BAKERSFIELD – Senator Dean Florez, D-Shafter, will hold a public hearing Thursday evening in Bakersfield, calling on Big West of California to detail its policies and procedures for responding to hazardous materials spills.  Last month, a leak of anhydrous ammonia occurred at the refinery, and authorities were only notified when a nearby resident reported the alarm to police. 
 
Florez and many local residents are concerned the company’s incident reporting record does not bode well for its plans to expand the facility and introduce the use of modified hydrofluoric acid, a highly toxic chemical with the potential to vaporize and spread for miles. 
 
“I know there are many people in the community who want solid assurances that this company has a philosophy of, and commitment to, abiding by the letter of the law when it comes to reporting leak incidents,” Florez said, adding, “We want to know they will do everything within their power to err on the side of public safety, particularly if they expect to be trusted with the added responsibility of keeping residents safe from HF.”
 
Thursday’s hearing, entitled “Evaluating the sufficiency of the response protocols utilized by Big West after hazardous materials discharges,” will be held jointly by the Senate Governmental Organization Committee -- which oversees emergency preparedness -- and the Senate Select Committee on Air Quality.
 
Bill Chadick, director of health, safety and environmental for Big West of California, will testify on behalf of the company regarding its safety record and emergency response procedures.
 
Betsy Ramsey, organizer of Bakersfield Citizens against Hydrofluoric Acid, will give voice to those residents concerned by the company’s plan to expand and use the highly toxic chemical.
 
Also testifying will be Matt Constantine, director of the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department; Dennis Thompson, chief of the Kern County Fire Department; and the emergency services coordinator and legal counsel for the state’s Office of Emergency Services.