Valero To Pay $345K For Benicia Refinery Violations: Air District

By Katy St. Clair, Bay City News Foundation

BENICIA, CA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has settled 17 notices of violation with Valero Refining Company stemming from non-compliance with air quality regulations at its Benicia refinery in 2017, a spokesperson for the district announced Thursday.

As per the settlement, Valero will pay $345,000 in fines. The settlement funds will go back into the air district to fund inspection, enforcement, and other district activities.

The violations, which the district says have since been corrected, include six for excessive visible emissions, three for public nuisances, three for exceeding carbon monoxide limits, one for exceeding sulfur dioxide limits, two for exceeding nitrogen oxide limits, one for oil on a tank roof, and five for late reporting.

BAAQMD was quick to note that this settlement agreement is not related to the recent abatement order given to Valero regarding a 2019 inspection of its Benicia refinery that found nearly 16 years' worth of unreported, hazardous emissions at the site. The air district said it is currently assessing penalties "commensurate with the seriousness of the violation."

According to the air district's 2019 inspection, Valero had been releasing benzene, ethylbenzene and other organic compounds considered hazardous. District rules set a cap on such emissions at 15 pounds per day and a maximum of 300 parts per million. Valero had been emitting an average of 5,200 pounds per day and 19,148 parts per million over a series of years.

At a March 1 Benicia City Council meeting, Damian Breen, senior deputy executive officer of operations and enforcement at BAAQMD, told the body that the district will consider giving portions of any penalties collected from Valero for the 16-year breach back to the city of Benicia, something unprecedented that was also praised by Mayor Steve Young.

ALSO SEE:

• Valero Benicia Refinery Ordered To Cease Unreported Emissions
• Lawsuit: Valero, Import Company Polluted Strait, Port Of Benicia
• Dangerous Valero Emissions Went Unchecked For Years In Benicia
• Benicia Mayor Blasts Valero-Backed Political Action Committee

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