After three years of debate over Valero Benicia Refinery’s proposed Crude-By-Rail Project, which would extend three Union Pacific Railroad tracks onto Valero’s property to deliver North American crude oil by train instead of by boat, the City Council could be issuing its final vote on the project Tuesday.

On Feb. 11, Benicia’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny a permit for the project as well as certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report, which addressed environmental and safety concerns over the project. On Feb. 29, Valero filed an appeal stating that the commission’s decision was based on grounds preempted by federal law. A series of City Council hearings were held in April, which ultimately resulted in the council voting 3-2 to delay the permit until more information was obtained by the Surface Transportation Board, the national organization which regulates railroad issues and other transportation matters.

As of press time, the Surface Transportation Board has not issued a declaratory order regarding the project. City staff is recommending that the council consider the appeal and either deny it by adopting the draft resolution certifying the FEIR or approve the project by adopting the draft resolution and upholding the appeal, decline to certify the EIR or continue action on the project until the Surface Transportation Board issues a declaratory order.

In other business, the council will be voting to authorize the replacement of two police vehicles and adopt an ordinance to establish a first responder fee for the fire department.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept.20 in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 250 East L St.

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