Valero Neighbors Host NRDC in Benicia

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) staff joined Benicia residents who packed the local community center last night to discuss concerns about proposed changes to Valero's oil refinery. Valero is one of several refiners seeking to construct dedicated rail terminals designed to recieve large quantities of unconventional crude oil--most of it produced in Canada's tar sands and North Dakota's Bakken shale formation. 

NRDC's Diane Bailey presented expert research we commissioned on the project showing potentially significant impacts to regional air quality and public health posed by refining unconventional crudes brought in through the terminal. 

Residents also raised public safety concerns.  The tragedy in Quebec clearly weighed heavily on everyone's mind, leading some to worry whether it could happen here. Two fifty-car trains full of crude oil would traverse rail lines servicing the facility every day.

Benicia's Planning Commission will hear on-the-record public comment about the project tomorrow at 7pm at City Hall. After reviewing comments, the Commission expects to decide whether to conduct a full Environmental Impact Report during a special meeting on August 1st.

Benicia resident Roger Straw maintains a comprehensive collection of information related to the project including NRDC's research, public comments, press coverage and other materials at the Benicia Independent.