Chemical Spill at Venoco’s Ellwood Facility

A “rusty chemical liquid” spilled from two outflow sites at Venoco’s Ellwood Onshore Facility onto the beach below on February 4, according to a notice issued by the State Office of Emergency Services earlier this week. The liquid, the report noted, was absorbed by the sand.

Further details — including the chemical spilled, the amount, and the cause — weren’t included in the report. What cleanup efforts could be involved also remains unclear. No injuries or evacuations resulted from the spill. Venoco representatives didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.