Within 30 days, the refinery must submit a detailed report of the occurrence to the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo – Cetesb.

The Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo – Cetesb fined Revap (Henrique Lage Refinery), a Petrobras unit installed in the east zone of São José dos Campos, in R$ 198,9 for environmental damage, caused by the fire that occurred on the last Sunday of September, which occurred in the reservoir of tanks that store products used in the preparation of asphalt and fuel oil.

According to Cetesb, the product (recycled gas oil), derived from petroleum refining, reached the soil and vegetation around the storage tanks containment dike and the rainwater galleries, causing damage to the flora and fauna, in addition to disturbing the population.

The leak caused a fire in one of Revap's tanks, and the flames were only contained after six and a half hours of fighting by the Fire Department and brigade members, requiring the work of 12 vehicles and 29 military firefighters and another 20 brigade members from 10 companies in the Vale do Paraíba.

Within 30 days, the refinery must submit a detailed report of the occurrence to the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo, indicating the causes of the accident and the amount of oil leaked, as well as the amount of waste generated in the cleaning work.

The accident is also investigated by the nucleus of the Vale do Paraíba do Gaema (Special Action Group for the Defense of the Environment), a body of the Public Ministry.

The civil inquiry, signed by prosecutor Laerte Fernando Levai, was opened based on a representation from a resident.

In the text, the prosecutor also cites complaints that the fire was linked to a leak recorded days before the flames.

In addition to knowing the causes of the fire, the prosecution will investigate which substances were released into the atmosphere by the dark smoke, as well as possible damage to the soil and groundwater.

There is no deadline for completing the survey. The emission of polluting gases by Revap is the subject of another investigation by the MP.

Revap reported that it has not yet been notified of the fine applied by Cetesb.

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