Board of Supervisors sets ‘informational meeting’ for Sept. 29
Solano County Board of Supervisors will look at how emergency responders should enhance their ability to respond to any incident along the county’s 73 miles of railroad track in an informational session later this month, District 2 Supervisor and board Chairperson Linda Seifert said.
Seifert is Benicia’s representative on the panel.
“As we prepare for and anticipate the transportation of crude oil through our county, a community conversation about our preparedness and the potential impact from an incident is essential,” Seifert said.
She said the Sept. 29 meeting’s objective is to “raise awareness of the existing safety measures already in place throughout the county and to identify potential gaps and mitigations based on potential changes in rail traffic.”
She said the board has asked representatives from Valero Energy, Union Pacific Railroad, Solano County Office of Emergency Services, the Solano County Fire Chiefs Association, local air quality management districts, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi and state Sen. Lois Wolk to speak at the meeting.
Seifert said the information session has been scheduled for two reasons. One, she said, is that September is National Emergency Preparedness Month.
In addition, she said, the city of Benicia is considering an application that would allow Valero Benicia Refinery to receive and process crude oil delivered by rail.
“We know emergency responders from across the county, including the Hazardous Materials Response Team, are prepared for a wide array of potential incidents,” Seifert said.
“Proposals to process crude oil delivered by rail will change the mix of materials coming into and passing through Solano County. It is only prudent for us to explore how to increase our capability to handle the risks associated with these changes.”
The informational meeting will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the County Administration Center, 675 Texas St., Fairfield.