City Of Benicia Learns Of Stipulated Order Between Bay Area Air Quality Management District And Valero Benicia Refinery

Benicia CA

26 January, 2022

7:14 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Benicia: January 25, 2022 BENICIA, CA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) issued a news release on Tuesday, January 24, 2022, regarding the Stipulated Order between BAAQMD and Valero Benicia Refinery (Valero). The Stipulated Order is a result of a 2019 inspection by BAAQMD, which found that Valero had unreported emissions which exceeded Air District regulations. "The City of Benicia takes the air quality and the health of our citizens very seriously. We are deeply troubled to learn of Valero's 2019 actions that led to this order. BAAQMD's announcement makes clear that not adhering to Air District regulations will not be tolerated. We are most appreciative of the staff of BAAQMD that performed the inspection and have worked these past years to fight for public safety and good air quality. I am hopeful that from this Stipulated Order, agreed to by both BAAQMD and Valero, positive reforms and investments can be made to better secure our public health," said Mayor Steve Young. The City of Benicia continues to work on its own accord with BAAQMD to install a community air monitoring station on city-owned property. The license agreement for the air monitoring station is being finalized and should be ready to be approved by the Benicia City Council in February. Paul Adler, Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs, Valero Benicia Refinery, issued a statement to the City of Benicia noting, "The Valero Benicia Refinery discovered its hydrogen unit vent had trace contaminants. Valero took immediate steps to address the issue and has been working cooperatively with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to develop a project as part of its long-term corrective action. To this end, Valero and BAAQMD have agreed to a Stipulated Order of Abatement which is subject to a BAAQMD Hearing Board approval at a future date." The City of Benicia has been advised that BAAQMD will host a Community Briefing at a later date to discuss the Air District's enforcement action against Valero to ensure public access to the key facts of the case and understanding of the Hearing Board process, and to answer all questions about this issue. Members of the public are encouraged to provide written and oral comment on this issue to the Hearing Board. Once the hearing is scheduled, a link will be posted on the Air District's Hearing Board website at https://www.baaqmd.gov/about-the-air-district/hearing-board/agendas-reports-orders. The public can also sign up for Hearing Board updates athttps://www.baaqmd.gov/contact... The City of Benicia will work BAAQMD and Valero to share information as it becomes available related to the BAAQMD inspection report and the steps Valero will take to abate future release of harmful emissions. For questions related to the Stipulated Order, interested parties may contact Kristine Roselius of BAAQMD at 415.519.5419 or [email protected]. This press release was produced by the City of Benicia. The views expressed here are the author's own.