Recently, Tesla passed General Motors as the most valuable U.S. automaker. Last week, my writing partner came back from Beijing, talking about how the Chinese were developing new electric cars. The Chinese are predicted to the lead the “NEV” or New Energy Vehicle cycle in a decade. Hayward now has a hydrogen refueling station, and […]
Valero awards grants to benefit children, nonprofits
“This is the event I look most forward to every year,” Don Wilson, the vice president and general manager of Valero Benicia Refinery, remarked at the company’s Sponsor Recognition and Charity Grants event, held at the Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall Wednesday morning. Wilson had a good reason to be spirited. The refinery was honoring […]
Council denies Valero Crude-By Rail Project
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 […]
Roger Straw: City staff appears to favor Valero, ignore opponents in agenda attachments
On Thursday last week, city of Benicia staff released the agenda for the crucial and perhaps decisive Sept. 20 meeting of the Benicia City Council. A staff report accompanying the agenda stands by the staff’s previous positions on Valero’s oil train proposal, recommending on Page 10 that Council approve Valero’s appeal, reject Benicia’s Planning Commission […]
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 […]
Office seekers/holders discuss goals, crude by rail at Candidates’ Night
(This is Part 1 of a 2-part article. For Part 2, go here.) Candidates for mayor and city council had an opportunity to answer questions on important issues Tuesday night at the Benicia Chamber of Commerce’s Candidates’ Night. The forum was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall and moderated by Peter Friesen. All […]
Grant Cooke: Benicia’s future is with Patterson, Young and the new economy
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 […]
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 […]