By Bob Livesay Special to the Herald That unsung hero is Sue Fisher Jones. Sue is retiring as the public affairs/community relations manager for Valero and going home to Oregon. Sue was a very important part of the community of Benicia. She will definitely be missed. In her position, Sue has been very well-known and […]
Air District discusses monitoring in Benicia workshop
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) sought input from Benicians on potential locations for air monitoring stations during a workshop Monday at Veterans Memorial Hall. The workshop was the final stop for a series of presentations about the topic held in the Bay Area’s refinery communities, with previous discussions held in Richmond, Martinez […]
Dodd bill aims to triple fines for refinery air quality violations
Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced a new bill to prevent harmful emissions from oil refineries by increasing fines for serious violations of emissions standards that lead to sickness in individuals or forcing sheltering-in-place orders, according to a news release. Dodd represents Benicia and Martinez in the state Senate, which encompass the majority of the […]
Letters: ISO and cannabis
Real-time air monitoring needed According to a May 23 KQED article regarding the May 5 Valero Benicia Refinery incident: “The refinery should be held to higher safety standards, the same standards that the four refineries in Contra Costa are held to,” Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia said. The number of serious refinery accidents in Contra […]
2017 Year in Review: Local issues dominated Benicia in past year
The year 2018 is just around the corner. Before we see what the new year has to offer, let us look back at the big stories that affected Benicia in 2017. Staff changes In February, interim City Manager Steve Salomon left to become the interim city manager of Orinda. Fire Chief Jim Lydon initially filled […]
Letter: Move forward with ISO
Move forward with ISO Benicia suffered a major toxic incident when Valero emitted thousands of pounds of dangerous chemicals last May. On a continuing basis, Benicia’s Valero refinery is fined by Bay Area and State agencies for emissions exceeding toxic limits. Currently, access to the refinery emissions data as well as the actions taken to […]
Letters: Small Business Saturday, water rates and ISO
Small Business Saturday is big for Benicia Benicia is home to dozens of unique small businesses where natives and neighbors can find antiques & collectibles, furniture & home goods, art, music & books, high-fashion & vintage clothing, hand-crafted glass & ceramics, toys for kids and pets, family-owned bakeries & restaurants, and many providers of the […]
Letter: Misplaced blame
Misplaced blame The Herald published a snide ad from Valero on Tuesday, unbecoming to a corporation, stooping to accusations of our city officials who work so hard to represent the electorate and assure us that the city is governed by good stewardship. There is no need to take on our Mayor, as though she alone […]
Panelists answer questions on Industrial Safety Ordinance
Six months after the Benicia City Council last discussed a local Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO), a panel was held Tuesday at the Benicia Public Library to go over Contra Costa County’s ISO and make a push for something similar in Benicia. In May, the Valero Benicia Refinery underwent an emergency shutdown as Pacific Gas & […]
Kathy Kerridge: Working toward a local safety ordinance to keep Benicians safe, informed
Benicia is the only city in Solano County that is home to a refinery – and the only Bay Area refinery city left unprotected by a local Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO). Fortunately, the City of Benicia can learn from State and Contra Costa County expertise in order to develop and implement its own. The […]