If Valero’s crude-by-rail, or CBR, project goes through, it will do irreparable damage to Benicia. If the three councilmembers—Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Alan Schwartzman— continue their support for the project, they will do an extraordinary disservice to the city.
I respect those who work on behalf of local government; however, in this case, the legacies of three pro-Valero councilmembers will be that when Benicia needed them, they stood down. They just didn’t have the vision or the ability to do what is right and best for the city.
While the same can be said for numerous elected officials in other American small towns, particularly those dominated by a fossil fuel company, it’s a painful thing to witness. What makes Benicia’s situation more painful, is that the city is gifted with a bright and forward thinking mayor and is nestled on the edge of the most innovative and financially robust center in the world.
Yet, the pro-Valero majority on the council mirrors the city’s self-inflicted company town identity. This fossil fuel dependence holds the city back from partaking in the Bay Area’s knowledge-based economy and its prosperity.
The company town malignancy is intensified by a remarkable and insulating geography that creates the city’s beauty. The town has an idyllic and picturesque quality that is enhanced by a touch of eccentricity and bohemian romanticism left over from the halcyon days of the Gold Rush.
This combination allows for a complacency in the social milieu that is on the one hand charming, but on the other, remarkably short-sighted. In fact, it’s just plain dumb, since it allows for the tacit acceptance of the status quo and masks the reality that problems are coming and action needs to be taken.
For a half-century, Benicia has allowed the refinery to prosper, hardly inhibiting its use of the atmosphere as a garbage can. For most of this time, the refinery has been the largest source of tax revenue, exercising dominant economic and political influence. Which is a pity, since the rest of the Bay Area embarked on a scientific, technological and economic renaissance that is unparalleled in human history.
Now, the era of carbon generated wealth and dominance is in decline, particularly in densely populated areas where growing number of residents are pushing back, protective of their health and well-being. Carbon-generated wealth, usually from extraction industries, is being overtaken by knowledge-based wealth. High-tech workers are transforming the communities throughout the Bay Area. Cities like Richmond that were mired in the death grip of the fossil fuel industry, are now undergoing gentrification and renewal.
So where does that leave Benicia? If the pro-Valero councilmembers have their way and Valero’s CBR project is approved, then the city will continue to be dependent on the refinery and the fossil fuel industry.
It’s clear from the evidence that crude-by-rail transportation is unsafe, unhealthy, and disruptive, but it won’t matter if the project is approved and the 50-car trains take over the Industrial Park, cutting off access and exit for most of the existing businesses. Once the trains loaded with toxic and volatile Bakken crude start to roll, there will be no “do overs,” and the city’s future will languish.
There is no doubt that the fossil fuel and oil industries are in decline. Oil prices are dropping as too much supply hits the market. Renewable energy is cheaper, more plentiful and when connected to smart grids far more flexible and cleaner. Vehicles are getting more efficient and transitioning to hybrid, electric, and hydrogen power. The fossil fuel era with its environmental destruction, social and political upheavals, and corrupt power politics is winding down.
So by approving CBR, Benicia will be locked into a decline—all the while the rest of the Bay Area flourishes as the new knowledge-based economy expands.
As an interesting aside, in the last three months, Valero, Inc. made $19.6 billion in gross revenue and $87.8 billion for all of 2015. As part of the company’s second-quarter earnings announcement, Joe Gorder, Valero’s CEO, said “We are also encouraged by ample supplies of medium and heavy sour crude oils in the market…”
So, if there is plenty of supply, and the refinery’s current crude delivery process is creating substantial profits, why does the refinery still want to ship explosive Bakkan crude by trains through towns that oppose it? And why do they claim it’s necessary to bring it to a loading area with a potential blast zone that includes an elementary school?
Admittedly, Valero’s CBR project is not simple. There are key issues at stake, including the tax revenues versus the city’s right and responsibility to protect the health and well-being of its residents. Many people are involved to various degrees in the decision. Unfortunately, the town’s residents can’t vote on the project, since the decision is solely in the hands of the city council.
The pro-Valero CBR faction has tried to diminish the importance of the decision by claiming the opposition is simply a ruckus stirred up by passionate environmentalists opposed to Big Oil. The intent is to frame the local election, and opposition to the project, as simply a one issue ballot. But the reality is far different. It’s not merely a CBR issue, or whether the refinery is good or not for the city, but a clear and simple question of what is to be Benicia’s future? Will the city– pushed by the three pro-Valero councilmembers– be locked into fossil fuel’s decline, or will it have the wherewithal to step into the 21st century and join the Bay Area’s booming knowledge-based economy?
If Benicia is going to survive as a chartered city, it has to go where the future beckons, which is to the new economy. If it dithers, the city will be passed over, as the new economy leapfrogs to Vallejo and other cities along the Interstate 80 corridor.
Three decades in, the scientific and technological Renaissance is just getting started, powered by a steamroller of venture capital. Silicon Valley is awash with cash and opportunity, and the Bay Area’s great universities and national laboratories are brimming with patents just waiting for implementation. High-tech and green tech startups and businesses are growing exponentially each year. Chinese and other foreign buyers are trolling Northern California for the newest inventions and technology.
The Green Industrial Revolution will continue to grow, pushing out along the region’s main transportation corridors. Eventually it will extent from Palo Alto to Sacramento. Just as Apple overcame Exxon, the new economy will push out the fossil fuel industry in the Bay Area. Within a couple of decades, the Bay Area refineries will lock their gates, unable to withstand the shifts in the energy markets and the expenses of offsetting carbon emissions.
What the fossil fuel industries in the Bay Area—and by extension those cities that have cast their lot with them—are not realizing is that there is a generational and workforce shift taking place. The older work force who had a high tolerance for the fossil fuel and heavy industrial manufacturing industries are being overtaken by a tsunami of high tech workers. These young folks are sophisticated, intelligent and extremely sensitive to health and recreation. (Just visit San Francisco’s marina green on the weekend). Their lifestyles are far different than the established group. High-tech workers live in denser neighborhoods, drive efficient autos and take public transportation. (Visit Emeryville, or the area around Pleasant Hill’s BART station.)
Above all, tech workers have enormous amounts of money that is rapidly changing the real estate market and the Bay Area’s lifestyle. As these workers mature, they will pressure politicians for the things they value, which is certainly not carbon emissions or refineries.
Rarely in life does time and circumstance allow us to decide our fate. The future is often veiled and clouded, and usually clarity only comes with necessity, too often calamity. This is true for individuals as well as cities. Cities, especially small company towns, rarely have the visionary leadership and the ability to break loose from the status quo, until like Stockton or Vallejo they implode.
Benicia’s fate is remarkably unambiguous; stick with the old fossil fuel industry and go down with its decline, or join the Bay Area’s Renaissance and prosper. Throughout the world, other cities have faced much harsher realities and have been successful in transitioning to a new economy. Melbourne, Copenhagen, Berlin and Bristol leap to mind. In each, change was driven by strong visionaries who understood that change was the best option and who had the leadership skills to pull the cities and their residents forward.
Does Benicia have similar visionary leadership? That is clearly central to November’s local election. There are two councilmembers up for re-election—Tom Campbell and Christina Strawbridge. Mayor Elizabeth Patterson is being challenged by Vice Mayor Mark Hughes. Three councilmembers– Strawbridge, Hughes and Alan Schwartzman who is not up for re-election– favor Valero and its CBR project.
Mayor Patterson has shown time and again that she understands the dilemma the city faces and why its future lies with the new economy. She clearly has the vision, talent and leadership required to move the city forward, and should be re-elected. Councilmember Campbell also understands that Benicia’s future prosperity can’t be dependent on Valero’s CRB project and he should continue.
Steve Young, a new challenger for a council position possess exceptional talent and leadership skills, and clearly understands that the city’s best interests are to reject Valero’s CBR. As chair of the Planning Commission, he spent countless hours on the issue, painstakingly doing the research and leading the commission through the pros and cons as each member came to agree that the CRB project was not the town’s best option.
Patterson and Campbell were outvoted by the three other councilmembers, and the council failed to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation, instead giving Valero the opportunity to reopen the issue with the Surface Transportation Board. Cluttering the decision was some questionable recommendations from the city staff, goofy advice from a consulting attorney, and bullying from Valero’s high-powered lawyer. In short, the whole process reeked of the misinformation and strong-armed tactics so common when an oil company puts pressure on small town politics.
Given his remarkable dedication to Benicia and the work required to bring the whole CBR permitting process into the public light, Steve Young has clearly shown that he has the intelligence, talent and leadership skills needed to help the city transition away from the past and embrace the future.
For Benicia, come the November election, Mayor Patterson and Tom Campbell should be re-elected. Steve Young should be the newly elected councilmember.
Grant Cooke is a longtime Benicia resident and CEO of Sustainable Energy Associates. He is also an author and has written several books on the Green Industrial Revolution. His newest is “Smart Green Cities” by Routledge.
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I appreciate the endorsement of Mr. Cooke and the rest of Benicia citizens who have supported my campaign thus far.
For the record, however, I am not the Chair of the Planning Commission, simply one member. Our very able chair is Don Dean, who has guided us through the CBR review process over the last three years with admirable patience and leadership.
Oops, my mistake. Apologies to Don Dean. Grant Cooke
If you can’t get a simple, straightforward fact about who is the chairman of the Planning Commission it calls into question the numerous other “facts” you state in your editorial Mr. Grant.
By the way, isn’t being CEO of Sustainable Energy Associates and advocating alternative energy is very similar to, oh say the tobacco companies doing their own research on the effects of smoking?
That was good.. Do we think Grant maybe told a tall tale about the Council members. He has no facts just his Enviro Greenie attitude. Grant you are not what this city needs. Stop the slander of these wonderful folks. Grant give us all the facts about, the thee council members. You have none. I sure hope Steve runs away from you very fast. If not he is complicit- in this article. To the Mayor I say I do hope your recovery from my friends comment to you on your door knocking tour. is doing well. He told the truth. It is now up to Steve to take this on his own and not let others do his dirty work. Steve you have just lowered your chances big time. …
Beyond the oil company apologists—
—- More Crude Truths—-
Here’s a great idea:
“Send mile-long trains of unsafe tanker cars filled with explosive petroleum through neighborhoods and over watersheds on rails that were never designed to handle the big, heavy trains in the first place.”
“Then quintuple oil-train traffic”
From the above commenter “:If you can’t get a simple, straightforward fact about who is the chairman of the Planning Commission it calls into question the numerous other “facts” you state in your editorial Mr. Grant.”
So, Mr. Cooke, writes a 1500 word post an makes one error and that somehow relegates his excellent summation of Benicia;s present political situation to the dustbin of history.. How sad and pathetic!
Below: more oily informational facts/graphics/ and links to back-up Mr. Cooke’s post (truth-telling 101) for our citizenry and our appointed and elected leaders to seriously ponder…
‘True Costs: What’s the real price we pay for oil”?
“7,000 number of Californians that die prematurely from air pollution annually”
‘5 million Californians are suffering from asthma, including 1 million kids.”
“6 of the 10 dirtiest cities in the nation are located in California.”
“77 percent of the population lives in counties with failing air quality grades.”
“40 percent of Californians live close enough to major roadways to experience higher health risks”
“50 percent of California’s climate pollution is from petroleum fuels”
“95 percent of cancer causing diesel particulates is from petroleum fuels”
http://stopfoolingca.org/
Will you missed the entire point of Grant Cooke’s article. It was a political slanderous hit piece on three elected very fine representatives of this very fine city. This is not what the city voters want. They do not want a single issue candidate in Steve Young. It also hurts Mayor Patterson also. Puts her in the same position.
. This city needs folks like Hughes, Strawbridge and Schwartzman to help guide this city to a well rounded city that meets the needs of all the residents. Steve Young is a one issue candidate trying to ride to victory on a Planning Commission decision. Mayor Patterson’ continued agenda driven ideals will finally come home to hurt her. Will this was a classic hit piece. Both candidates were hurt by this article. Trying to move away from what the article is all about Will shows lack of political understanding. Again Will it was a political hit piece.
“The evidence is overwhelming: levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising. Temperatures are going up. Springs are arriving earlier. Ice sheets are melting. Sea level is rising. The patterns of rainfall and drought are changing. Heat waves are getting worse as is extreme precipitation. The oceans are acidifying.”
Source: American Association for the Advancement of Science.
From the above post:
“If Valero’s crude-by-rail, or CBR, project goes through, it will do irreparable damage to Benicia. If the three councilmembers—Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Alan Schwartzman— continue their support for the project, they will do an extraordinary disservice to the city.”
And our planet — Well stated, Mr. Cooke.
As we wait for a decision from the Surface Transportation Board in our at the local level– decisions at the California state level are very disturbing—
Below more serious oil company lobbying information for Mr. Cooke, our candidates for city council, our citizenry and our appointed and elected officials to ponder…
“The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), the most powerful corporate lobbying group in Sacramento, continued to dominate the lobbying spending in Sacramento in the second quarter of 2016.”
“At the helm of WSPA is President Catherine Reheis-Boyd, former Chair of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force to create so-called “marine protected areas in Southern California. The “marine protected areas” created under her “leadership” fail to protect the ocean from fracking, offshore oil drilling, oil spills, pollution, military testing, energy projects and all human impacts on the ocean other than sustainable fishing and gathering.”
“Meanwhile, Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based consumer organization, on August 10,2016 released an alarming report claiming that oil, gas and utilities gave $9.8 million to Governor Jerry Brown and his causes, often within days of winning big favors.”
“The timing of energy industry donations around important legislation and key pro-industry amendments, as well as key regulatory decisions in which Brown personally intervened, raises troubling questions about whether quid pro quos are routine for this administration,” said consumer advocate Liza Tucker, author of the report, in a press release. “While Brown paints himself as a foe of fossil fuels, his Administration promoted reckless oil drilling, burning dirty natural gas to make electricity, and used old hands from industry and government, placed in key regulatory positions, to protect the fossil fuel-reliant energy industry.”
“In spite of its reputation as a green state, California under Governor Jerry Brown is the third biggest oil state in the nation and a promoter of some of the most environmentally devastating policies in the country.”
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/08/19/western-states-petroleum-association-continues-to-top-ca-lobbying-expenses/
Will does the refinery follow all regulations required. I think you will find out they do. You are lobbying the wrong folks as is Grant, Mayor and Steve Young. Pure hit piece by a very anti fossil fuel , , CBR and Valero Enviro Greenie. It appears Will you fell for the trap.
No scare tactics….just the facts!
“The evidence is overwhelming: levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising. Temperatures are going up. Springs are arriving earlier. Ice sheets are melting. Sea level is rising. The patterns of rainfall and drought are changing. Heat waves are getting worse as is extreme precipitation. The oceans are acidifying.”
Source: American Association for the Advancement of Science.
From the above post:
“If Valero’s crude-by-rail, or CBR, project goes through, it will do irreparable damage to Benicia. If the three councilmembers—Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Alan Schwartzman— continue their support for the project, they will do an extraordinary disservice to the city.”
And our planet — Well stated, Mr. Cooke.
Below more serious news/ information that lends credence to Mr. Cooke”s article, hopefully our candidates for city council, our citizenry and our appointed and elected representatives will take note…
‘The Mother of All Risks’: Insurance Giants Call on G20 to Stop Bankrolling Fossil Fuels:Multinational firms managing $1.2tn in assets declare subsidies for coal, oil, and gas ‘simply unsustainable’
“Warning that climate change amounts to the “mother of all risks,” three of the world’s biggest insurance companies this week are demanding that G20 countries stop bankrolling the fossil fuels industry.”
“Multi-national insurance giants Aviva, Aegon, and Amlin, which together manage $1.2tn in assets, released a statement Tuesday calling on the leaders of the world’s biggest economies to commit to ending coal, oil, and gas subsidies within four years.”
“Climate change in particular represents the mother of all risks—to business and to society as a whole. And that risk is magnified by the way in which fossil fuel subsidies distort the energy market,” said Aviva CEO Mark Wilson. “These subsidies are simply unsustainable.”
“According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), fossil fuel companies receive an estimated $5.3tn a year in global subsidies—a figure that included, as the IMF put it, the “real costs” associated with damage to the environment and human health that are foisted on populations but not paid by polluters.”
“We’re calling on governments to kick away these carbon crutches, reveal the true impact to society of fossil fuels and take into account the price we will pay in the future for relying on them,”
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/29/mother-all-risks-insurance-giants-call-g20-stop-bankrolling-fossil-fuels
Who are we (the community) going to trust the corporate oil shills or science?
No scare tactics….just the facts!
“The evidence is overwhelming: levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising. Temperatures are going up. Springs are arriving earlier. Ice sheets are melting. Sea level is rising. The patterns of rainfall and drought are changing. Heat waves are getting worse as is extreme precipitation. The oceans are acidifying.”
Source: American Association for the Advancement of Science.
From the above post:
“If Valero’s crude-by-rail, or CBR, project goes through, it will do irreparable damage to Benicia. If the three councilmembers—Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Alan Schwartzman— continue their support for the project, they will do an extraordinary disservice to the city.”
And our planet — Well stated, Mr. Cooke.
Below more serious news/ information that lends credence to Mr. Cooke”s article, hopefully, our candidates for city council, our citizenry and our appointed and elected representatives will take note…
“World is Warming at Rate ‘Unprecedented’ for 1,000 Years”
“NASA’s top climate scientist announced Tuesday that the Earth is warming at a pace not seen in at least the past 1,000 years, making it “very unlikely” that global temperatures will stay below the 1.5°C limit agreed to in the landmark climate treaty negotiated in Paris last December.”
“In the last 30 years, we’ve really moved into exceptional territory,” Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, told the Guardian. “It’s unprecedented in 1,000 years. There’s no period that has the trend seen in the 20th century in terms of the inclination [of temperatures].”
“Maintaining temperatures below the 1.5°C guardrail requires significant and very rapid cuts in carbon dioxide emissions or coordinated geo-engineering,” he continued, referring to controversial environmental manipulations. “That is very unlikely. We are not even yet making emissions cuts commensurate with keeping warming below 2°C.”
“The announcement comes amid a growing body of research—month after month after month—that shows 2016 is shaping up to be the warmest year in recorded history”
“Meanwhile, a group of experts gathering at the International Geological Congress in Cape Town, South Africa this week announced that human activities such as industrialization, nuclear bomb testing, and increased greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming have so “profoundly altered the planet” that they have ushered in a new epoch—the Anthropocene.”
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/30/world-warming-rate-unprecedented-1000-years
Get your facts together Will.. This was a Hit Piece. The vote has not taken place yet by the council on FEIR or the permit. What will happen sometime in September is that there will be a vote by the council.. It will be 5/0 to certify the FEIR and 5/0 to not grant the permit. It could be 4/.1 on both.. It is now in the hands of the courts if Valero files suit. If they do file a suit the City will be responsible for their part because Valero ,is the client. Now the issue that the three councilmembers are Pro Valero is over and out the window.. As I have said this article was a Hit Piece by someone who does not understand the issue nor do you Will Get your facts together Will .;
Will I did read your OP ED in the 9-6-16 Benicia Herald. I know your info is very easy to get. But what is not easy is how in the past did you get the info to personally call donors to a candidates campaign. Not just once but numerous times. This topic and the folks involved was discussed at a Council meeting. I would love to hear your explanation and are you going to do that task in this election. I* guess I would call it intimidation.; The public should know that info. and your motivation for those calls. Should donors fear your tactics on candidates you do not approve of? Looking forward to your reply.;
I am shocked Steve Young that you would except Grant Cooke’s endorsement. You just brought yourself to his level . This OP ED was a pure HGit Piece on three very fine elected councilmembers. To0 except his endorcement means you endorse his views on mthre Councilmembers . That is below ma candidate whyo0 mis running mfor a Councilmember seast. What mgot into you Steve to publoicly except his endorcement. You should have rejected mit. I assume you ,thyink thye same way about mthese mthyree councilmemnbgers. Steve that was a very bad move mthat the votersd will rteme3mbeer. It justm shows your lack of knowledge of these three. Againb Steve I assume you are aWARE.
Hit wrong button. see below edited
Steve Young I* cannot believe you accepted this endorsement. from Grant Cooke. The voters will remember that you accepted a writer who just wrote an OP ED Hit Piece on three very fine elected Councilmembers. It does show your lack of political knowledge. You should be ashamed to accept that endorsement. It means you also support the article. Steve that article was a Hit Piece. It appears you believe everything he said. The local voters will not forgive you on your accepting this endorsement.. Steve just what are you thinking? I* know what you are thinking. You agreed with the Hit Piece article without any qualms about it. Steve Young you just made the political mistake that the voters will not forgive you for. It will stick to you. The voters are not that forgetting. The outsider went against three of Benicia’s own elected councilmember., The voters will not forget it..
I don’t know why, maybe some won’t agree (and I don’t care); but, Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Alan Schwartzman always seem to come off a bit wishy-washy, and fickle.
This OP ED/Column by Grant Cooke is a pure Hit Piece on three very fine Elected City Council ,members. No facts to his comments nor truth. He claims the three council members Hughes, Schartzman and Strawbridge favor Valero and the CBR project He states their support for the project does a disservice to this city. .He claims the city is being pushed by these three pro Valero council members.. .,.Pure no facts or truth Just an Enviro Greenie attempt to slander three very fine people who are a credit to this city. Sorry Grant you are not even aware that Councilmembers XSampbell voted againt Steve Young mto, be aq .
sorry hit the wrong button.. Campbell voted against Steve Young to be appointed to the Planning Commission. Your enbemies voted to confirm. Allf this just shows your, lack of any political knowledge and all you, want to do ,mis put out his piece wrong info on, three very fine people. You did not do SWteve young or Mayor Pattersin any good. You are a perfect excamp-le of what fo0lks in this city do not want. I will write more aboutm this very hatfulm art8icle. f
Sorry. New keyboard. Will correct errors and follow up on this Hit Piece.
Grant Cooke is a … CEO of Sustainable Energy Associates–A bit self serving is it not that a proponent of “sustainable energy”, one who profits from promotion of sustainable energy is opposed to this project?
it will do irreparable damage to Benicia. — The scare tactic is noted. “Irreparable damage” is not defined. expanding a freeway, or installing a new on ramp would qualify. I believe what Grant means to say is: “If something goes wrong there could be irreparable damage”.
I am sure we have good people in town who are not going to profit from stopping this project who could weigh in on this (I know Will will).
So let me get this straight … The author is advocating shutting down or encouraging Valero to leave is good for Benicia’s economy?
And somehow chasing our prime revenue source out of town will enhance “technology” compani s to move in?
I have a nice unicorn in my backyard Mr. Cooke. Want o buy it?
If technology and green energy companies were so easy to start or lure to Benicia … They would be here now!!!!
Please folks. Use your brains. Valero doesn’t keep technology out of Benicia, our business climate and local government prevents the investment. This article shows a complete lack of understanding of business and economics.
Matter,
I don’t think that is the case. I work in the high-tech community.
Frankly, the reason that many tech companies have not come to Benicia based on my discussion with colleagues in the high-tech community, is that many in Silicone Valley have not heard of the town, and those that do think it is somewhere near Sacramento.
For those high-tech people that do know about Benicia, the issue is that due to the negative impacts of the CBR on the industrial park, they feel the CBR project not only will detrimentally impact their businesses, but it will dissuade talent from locating to Benicia. For example, when I have mentioned our town, its location, and cost for leasing, to some of my Silicon Valley colleagues, they were flabbergasted to learn how close and cost effective Benicia is relative to Silicon Valley, SF and the East bay. They are paying a fortune on leases and housing! However, they are concerned about the future of Benicia. They feel that if the CBR passes in their view Benicia will become a more polluted and dangerous place to live and grow a business. So why take the chance.
Alas, it seems clear that we just have not done a good job in promoting our town or industrial park to Silicon Valley. Also, the name “Industrial park” just sounds old and backward. We should change the name to “Tech park” and focus on promoting a high-tech future.
That is interesting because my business, working throughout the state, in high tech and industrial, what they have heard about Benicia is the refinery. They also know about the intense business oversight by state and local regulators. CA in general is one of the worst business climates in the country. Silicon Valley has been decimated as a manufacturing base.
To think that start ups would move to Benicia when surrounding states offer much more competitive markets, whether we have a CBR or not, is shear lunacy. The CBR has little impact on the business decision to move. The refinery is already here for God sake! A rail line won’t add to that equation.
Killing the refinery as a means to increase tech business is fantasy and is a purely poor business and economic decision. If you think start up or green companies will flock to Benicia because we close Valero … God help us. Crazy talk.
Frankly, you folks clearly didn’t read the article I wrote. I never suggested that the refinery be closed. I just said that as renewable energy supplants carbon-based energy, the refineries will close. Just as analog gave way to digital, or animal-based power gave way to steam generated power. The same will happen to the centralized utilities like PGE. They will give way to smart grids and distributed energy. The notion that carbon energy is not in decline defies all evidence, logic, and economic reality–see Australia for a clear example of how accessible and inexpensive renewable energy is compared to carbon based fuel. Or Europe, England just announced the installation of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, which will supplant their declining North Sea oil reserves. On another point, the high-tech and science Renaissance I referenced is just starting. The Bay Area is at the center of it and its only going to grow because this is where the money and ideas are. No one who is serious about developing a new high-tech business will leave this area because this is the big leagues. Finally, my focus is not on promoting renewable energy–its already expanding fast enough and my mechanical engineering company’s business is energy diagnostics, not sales–my interest is pointing out to the residents of Benicia the simple fact that they can’t rely on the refinery for the major portion of their tax revenue forever.
Fossil fuel will be here for many. many years. Four refinery’s have been here for 100 years and the fifth approaching 50 years. They are not going any where Grant. The growth of Benicia was started in the late sixties with the bridge just ,before the arsenal closed and then the refinery opened. Then the growth went from 7,000 to 28,000+. Over the next 47 years which paralleled the refinery’s years in the city. Sorry Grant fossil fuel will still be here for many years to come. So the refinery is in the future. How long do you think it will take to clean it up if it leaves. Maybe fifty years. Fifty myearts later the Arsenal ,is still not cleaned up.Then what. This no growth issue is now down the drain and your Fantasy Land dreams along with it. The refinery will remain a great part of the city and the Seeno property will be developed but not as your dreams see it. By the way Grant this is America a country of about 330 million. We are the future of the world. I do believe Solar City and Tesla are not. Think the mayors beloved electric CODA cars to be assembled in Benicia. I think that lasted 30 days. Dream on Grant.
This article is a big time hit piece. All done by a very selfish Enviro Greenie that some could say was very slanderous. His motivation is very clear. Stack the council/mayor with folks that he thinks will back his agenda driven Enviro Greenie personal ideals.. Just who is he targeting to get his way? Very clear it is Mark Hughes and Christina Strawbridge. His hope is to ,keep Mayor Patterson as Mayor and Tom Campbell on the city council and add Steve Young. Big problem. It does appear the council backs Mark Hughes, Christina Strawbridge and Tom Campbell and not mayor Patterson.. That means that the hit piece writers solution is flawed. The only way Steve Young gets on the council is to beat Christina Strawbridge or run third as Mark Hughes wins. Beating incumbent council members is a bit of a stretch. Very simple. The CBR vote will come in September we think. None of the three council members this hit piece is all about have indicated in any way what their vote will be. The only thing they did is delay ,the vote for more info. That is not bad that is good governing for the city. Get all the info needed. Still plenty of time to vote before the election. That vote will take -place before the election. It could go this way. Vote to certify FEIR and vote against the permit. It will now go to the courts where it was headed regardless of the vote. Now that scenario just busted the writers motive. He destroys Steve Young and we end up with a chance for only one new council member. That ,means agenda driven single ideals candidates are out and a new fresh face will appear with a total concern for the city and its future. Grant Cooke your article is a hit piece and filled with Fantasy Land ideals and logic.. Plus many comments that just are not true. or one could say are his dream world. Read the article it is a hit piece and a very dream filled with so called facts which in reality are his own dream world vision. Grant it appears you know nothing about politics and for sure the council members you are trying to slander with false information. … .
Matter,
I was speaking about software, electronic design, and biotech startups more than industrial startups. I agree that industrial and manufacturing startups would likely go elsewhere due to CA regulations and the business climate. The fact that we are very close to Silicon Valley engineering talent, and the cost of housing is relatively low makes Benicia a prime place to locate a company. Not too far away from the talent pool on the peninsula and SF, but yet affordable. However, as you noted, Benicia is cited by my colleagues as an industrial refinery town, not a hi-tech town. We need to change that connotation as it makes Benicia seem that we only want heavy industry and manufacturing. The CBR just adds to that connotation.
Grant – Thank you for the great article and insight. I totally agree. I don’t think anyone suggested that we close the refinery. We simply cannot rely on Valero as our only tax base. We need to diversify.
Well it is very simple. No growth in housing in the Industrial park. The industrial park is not big enough without a complete make over and the addition of the Seeno property. So the housing issue goes else where. Try Fairfield. These young techies will not live ,their. So try the other side of the bridge. Maybe but not here. How long can this city wait to see the Seeno property developed. The Enviro Greenies want no part of it. The make over could take many years so along the way this city is working very closely with Valero. Remember CBR does not mean that Valero will use it to the fullest or at all. Just another option that is being challenged with scare tactics and false statements..
Bob, I don’t agree. Since Benicia is effectively landlocked, when I say housing I mean Benicia and the surrounding areas. A Seeno housing development will not solve that issue. For example, many of my colleagues commute long distances between SF and San Jose, so commuting to Benicia from Vallejo and WC would be a welcome relief. I guarantee you that if Google were to locate a tech center here, young techies would move here, or to the surrounding areas. It is time to renovate the industrial park and rebrand it. We have to start sometime. Let’s start now since the CBR will likely end up in the courts for several years. Focusing on the CBR just makes doing a makeover and rebranding more difficult, especially since it is only a third option to deliver oil to the refinery.
I do understand the housing issue. But Solano County is not the answer. Not a destination.The re-branding of the Industrial Park is a very big task that will take years., Remember the tax base. Yes it can possibly happen but just being in Benicia is not the answer. Warehousing and so called research is also not the answer. They do not bring in the revenue. You need manufacturing and Silicon Valley has suffered there. Mfg will leave the state as the California politicians look to demand more regulations on Industry. Again you need revenue producing business not a tech research center. Now a combination could work but that is years away. Until this city gets aggressive on promoting the business/industrial park nothing is going to0 happen. City cannot even\ get a Trader Joe’s. The city must get a more balanced city council that has econ dev. as a major priority. As long as you have the Mayor backed by the CSC and the Planning Commission the city is dead in its tracks. There will be no movement until you get the right mix on the council. The Mayor nor Steve Young are the answer..
It now appears Steve Young and Mayor Patterson backers wish this article had never been written. By now they are in hiding.. All saying how do we overcome this article written by a backer of both. He will be shunned and damage control cannot happen. He wrote it like he was the campaign spoke person for both. These two candidates will have to step in and say they think the three council members are not as the King of Enviro Greenie Kindom says. Very bad and it put a big dent in these two campaigns. If I were the Enviro Greenie King that being Grant Cooke I would take a hike for a long period of time. Damage has been done. The two candidates will have to live with the damage done.., Keep your eye open for an OP ED saying just what I think they will have to do. Sorry Steve Young and Mayor Patterson your over and out. Very vicious attack article that will have legs and will not be forgotten. . I do think that is exactly how these two think and no reply will follow. If so it will be curtains based on their past remarks. Voters do not forget very easily. .
Bob,
I am not sure where you are getting your data. If you think that a company like Apple and Google, or other companies that provide engineering designs and products that are manufactured elsewhere cannot produce local revenue, then you should recheck your facts. For example, it is clear that Silicon Valley is doing well and has not suffered from losing manufacturing. In fact, data shows that the peninsula and SF have some of the highest employment rates and some of the highest priced real-estate in the nation, which can only be supported by high paying jobs. Yes, some manufacturers have suffered, and some are leaving, but that is just one segment of the economy that is being replaced by other types of companies and technologies.
In my opinion, Benicia does not need to rely on manufacturing to thrive, just good paying jobs that produce local sales and taxes. For example, Bio-Rad and Dunlop here in Benicia, are great companies and help our local revenue.
Instead of focusing on a single revenue source, let’s work now to diversify our job base and make life and the economy better and more stable for all of us.
Good paying jobs is good. But remember they must spend the money in town to receive that benefit. If they go out of town such as Walnut Creek to spend the money there is no benefit. Revenue is generated by local spending. There is a problem there. We are not a big box shopping center town and the residents do not want that. like say Walnut. Creek. This city does not have the places to shop and spend money. Yes the FOOD PLACES AND BARS DO VERY WELL. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. You are wrong on Silicon Valley. It is reported that Mfg . is down. Yes but high tech folks are now wanting to live in SF. For any of that to be a BENEFIT TO this city the revenue must be taxable and the earnings spent locally. House prices mean a little but it is sales tax that will be the revenue generator . We get 1% and add the Measure C 1% which we keep it all. Mfg and sales is the answer and Benicia is a long way from getting what we deserve. The local folks do not want big box stores so that is out. So tell me why we do not have a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe’s in Benicia. Very simple those folks do not think this city will support it enough to come here. If that was the case they would be here in a minute. Tell me where in Benicia you can get basic needs for all family members. Try nowhere. We lose big time on that. Two retailers came here and left. Thank god that ACE hardware was willing to come here. .The retail base that generates tax dollars is not here. The residents do not want a big box store. That is fine but ,you suffer because they are not here. Does anyone think that major Dept Store will come to town, No ,they will not. Trying to convince the Planning Commission and asking them to OK a shopping center on the Senno property. That will be shot down in 1 second. Bring all the techies to Benicia you want. They will not live ,here and will spend very little money here. Buy a house and eat and shop elsewhere. That is what they are all about. Maybe not you but the young techies are that way for sure. So stop dreaming.
It appears Grant did leave town. . But wait the Mayor and the ‘”Rock Star” will write a very defensive OP ED. Will be looking for it. Sorry the damage that Grant did you will not be able to repair..
There is something about this article that is very strange It appears Grant disrespects the City Council so call pro Valero three. But at the same time supports Tom Campbell. Grant I do hope you remember that Tom Campbell voted against Steve Young for his appointment to the Planning Commission. That should have alerted you.Yet I think your false ideas that the three so called pro Valero you are attacking appeared to vote for Steve Young to the Planning Commission. Could it be Grant that you just do not understand local politics. It also appears that the Planning Commission is against the City Council and City Staff. That is not a secret. The same folks that can yea or ney them this Planning Commission seems to want them out. Sorry Grant your confusion goes on and on. You do not understand the council/mayor polarized situation. If you did you would more than likely rewrite this OP ED. Grant you are very confused and without facts just your Fantasyland talk.
Grant I believe your endorsement is not what the Mayor or Steve were looking for. Read todays Benicia Herald. The 8-26-16 paper.