Planning is important In response to the doomsday letter (“Patterson and Young just ended their political careers”) on July 4: We can look at Benicia’s future in your negative, ‘fraidy cat, archaic way, or we might see that planning for the world without fossil fuels is a forward-looking crucial stage in Benicia’s future. Wind, solar […]
Letter: Benicia deserves better
Benicia deserves better Benicia is the only Bay Area refinery town that does not have the community protection of an Industrial Safety Ordinance, or ISO. In 1999, the city of Richmond and Contra Costa County adopted their interlocking ISOs. The Richmond ordinance mirrors the Contra Costa ISO, and Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Division is […]
Letter: Benicia deserves better
Benicia deserves better Here’s something that might take your breath away, literally. I recently learned that the city of Benicia has not received a report from Valero concerning the events that led to a large release of toxic chemicals into the air in May. The event was serious enough to cause evacuation of the industrial […]
Letters: ISO and cannabis
ISO will create better informed community A lot has been said and written over the past several weeks on bringing an industrial safety ordinance (ISO) to the city of Benicia. Or, perhaps we should think of it as a community safety ordinance, which is what a Benicia ISO would also represent. As a resident of […]
Carrie Rehak: Responsible freedom and spending, and the question of a local Industrial Safety Ordinance in the city of Benicia
By Carrie Rehak Special to the Herald I have been following the discussions about whether it would be of value for the city of Benicia to have a local Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO). To my mind, two main arguments for and against having a local ordinance—freedom and spending — mirror one another, though from different […]
Valero awards $320k to 21 charities
Twenty-one charity organizations, including 10 from Benicia and Vallejo, received a combined $320,000 in grants awarded through the Valero Benicia Refinery’s participation in the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic held in the company’s headquarters in San Antonio, Texas last April. The golf tournament raised a record $11 million with funds to […]
Valero backs out of proposed Martinez terminal acquisition
Valero Energy Corporation announced Monday that it would be nixing its planned acquisition of two petroleum and distribution terminals in Richmond and Martinez owned by Plains All American Pipeline. The decision followed a July lawsuit in which California Attorney General Xavier Becerra alleged that the purchase could contribute to higher gas prices in the state […]
Valero one of 50 national companies recognized for community service
For the fourth consecutive time, Valero Energy Corporation— which has a refinery in Benicia— was recognized by Points of Light as one of the most community-focused companies in America as part of its Civic 50 list. The Civic 50 honors corporations throughout the country that have created a culture of community engagement. The winners were […]
Attorney General Becerra hopes to block Martinez terminal sale to Valero
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette Special to the Herald California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced he is seeking an injunction to block Valero Energy Corporation from buying the Martinez petroleum terminal, a purchase he called “anti-competitive behavior” and “unacceptable.” A court hearing on the motion is expected to take place next month. Becerra […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Wake-Up Call”
At 7:30 am a wake-up call- No son asking for a ride to work, no grandson needing a ride to school. Instead, a calm, taped voice… Listen carefully- (remembered words) emergency refinery Industrial Park evacuate. Then, the siren. No, it’s not the practice one we all ignore, wrong time, wrong day. We listen to its […]