By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette Benicia City Council has unanimously denied a use permit for the controversial Valero Crude-By-Rail project, citing a federal board decision as well as a June 3 derailment that spilled 42,000 gallons of crude oil and caused a fire that burned 14 hours. But the matter didn’t end Tuesday […]
Grant Cooke: CBR permit denied and new Green Inudstrial Revolution developments impact Benicia
History, or at least precedence, was made Tuesday evening when the Benicia City Council denied Valero a land use permit to bring in volatile Bakken and Tar Sands crude oil from North Dakota and Canada by train. In what appeared to observers to be a stunning change of heart, the council unanimously agreed with the […]
Community, environmental groups react to crude-by-rail decision
Following the City Council’s unanimous decision to reject Valero’s proposed Crude-By-Rail Project, many of the supporters and opponents of the project issued statements regarding their response to the vote. Valero Benicia Refinery first announced the project, which would extend Union Pacific Railroad tracks to deliver barrels of crude oil by train onto its property in […]
Council hears about crude by rail, water infrastructure and EMS costs Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, Benicia City Council had a busy meeting with lots of activity. First, the Council recognized the Parks and Community Services Department with a proclamation declaring July, 2016 as “Parks Make Life Better Month,” in conjunction with the statewide designation. Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Commission member Rich Payne accepted the proclamation […]
Candidate Spotlight: Planning Commissioner Steve Young will make bid for City Council
Steve Young, a current member of Benicia’s Planning Commission, is looking to make the leap to the City Council. Young’s decision to run was partly influenced by the Council’s decision to delay Valero’s Crude-By-Rail Project rather than deny the refinery a permit to have its crude oil delivered by railroad rather than by boat. The […]
Comment period on crude-by-rail extended to 90 days
Benicia Planning Commission decided Thursday to double the amount of time the public will be able to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Valero Crude-by-Rail Project, to 90 from 45 days. And rather than keep Thursday’s meeting going until those who filled City Hall had a chance to speak, the panel […]
Open letter to the City Council: Support CBR
TO BENICIA CITY COUNCIL AND BENICIA PLANNING COMMISSION, RE: THE VALERO CRUDE-BY-RAIL PROJECT: Ladies and gentlemen, This letter is written in support of the proposed Valero Refinery crude by rail (CBR) project. I have a unique perspective on the issue, for two reasons: • I am a board-certified occupational and environmental medicine physician. Having researched, […]