(The last of the Herald’s articles focusing on the big Benicia stories of 2016 will be focusing on the biggest one of all.) Valero Benicia Refinery’s three-year battle to have its crude oil delivered by train rather than by boat came to an end in 2016. The year saw perhaps the biggest wave of developments […]
City Attorney: Valero won’t sue over crude-by-rail decision
Following the City Council’s unanimous denial of Valero’s proposed crude-by-rail project in September, speculations abounded over whether or not the refinery would sue the city of Benicia over its decision. Residents received an answer at Tuesday’s council meeting when City Attorney Heather McLaughlin reported that Valero would not go forward with a lawsuit. During the […]
Council considered pot regulation, police radios Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard arguments regarding a new marijuana ordinance in light of the passage of California Proposition 64, and the purchase of an $850,000 contract with the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority (EBRCSA, or “E-Bricksa”) for a new police and fire radio communication system, among other items. […]
Council addresses finances, crude by rail at Tuesday’s meeting
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard a presentation from Kosmont Companies on the proposed Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) and an update from the public works director on the city’s water re-use project. The council also approved a three-year contract with I.D. Modeling, Inc. for management and implementation of Sedaru Utility […]
Poetry Corner: D.L. Lang “Sheltering in Places”
This whole city now smells like gasoline. No one knows why, and that’s obscene. Officials are investigating the scene. We’re all struck without a warning. Now we wait, sheltering in places, unable to ventilate our cozy spaces, donning air masks on our faces. Praying for better, the human race is. Its source is a still […]
Council may vote on Crude-By-Rail Project on Tuesday
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 […]
Crude by rail, water service dominate city council meeting Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard from the public regarding Valero Benicia Refinery’s Crude-By-Rail Project and further advised city staff regarding proposed changes to water and wastewater treatment billing, among other items. The Council also took a few minutes to acknowledge and offer a formal farewell to City Manager Brad […]
What Benicia can learn from the Oregon train derailment
On Friday, June 3, a Union Pacific train carrying Bakken crude oil derailed in the town of Mosier, Ore. Fourteen rail cars came off the tracks, and four exploded over a 5 hour period. There are several things that the City Council needs to keep in mind whenever they re-open discussion of the appeal of […]