Valero Benicia appeals Planning Commission’s unanimous decision

By Roger Straw, February 29, 2016 2:25pm PT

City Council will review Valero Crude By Rail on Tuesday, March 15

Valero Benicia Refinery dropped off its appeal at City Hall this afternoon, Monday, February 29, 2016.  The City posted the following announcement on its Valero Crude By Rail webpage today:  “It is anticipated that the City Council will hear the appeal on March 15, 2016.”  I’m told that this will only be a formal setting of dates for public hearings on the matter. Still, you may want to show up to send a signal.  Sometime in late March or late April, the City Council will hold a series of hearings much like those recently held by the Planning Commission.  Stay tuned for those dates and plan to attend.

The 1-page Formal Appeal was accompanied by a hard-hitting 11-page letter by Valero’s attorney, John Flynn of Nossaman LLP.  The letter details Valero’s position, and is posted on the City’s website.  The letter tears into Benicia’s Planning Commission for its unanimous Feb. 11 decision to deny the project.

Stop Crude By Rail yardsign

It’s official – our work is not done!  STOP CRUDE BY RAIL!