All posts by Roger Straw

Editor, owner, publisher of The Benicia Independent
Keeping Watch on Earth News, ORCEM, Vallejo Marine Terminal

VMT / OCREM project dead – hearings cancelled!

Press Release, City of Vallejo, May 24, 2019

VMT WITHDRAWS APPEAL OF VMT/ORCEM PROJECT – MAY 30 PUBLIC HEARING CANCELLED

VALLEJO, CA – Vallejo Marine Terminal, LLC. (VMT) delivered formal notice to the City of Vallejo this afternoon that it has elected to withdraw its appeal of the Planning Commission’s 2017 denial of the VMT-Orcem Project.

The public hearing at the City Council previously scheduled for May 30, 2019 has been cancelled.

VMT applied on September 5, 2013 for a cement processing plant project on ~30 acres at the former General Mills factory. The original project was denied a major use permit by the Vallejo Planning Commission on February 27, 2017 due to concerns over environmental and quality of life impacts.

VMT stated in its May 24, 2019 withdraw letter that it no longer supports the project. As real property holder, VMT’s withdraw of the appeal effectively terminates the proposed project.

For more information:
Joanna Altman, Assistant to the City Manager, Joanna.Altman@cityofvallejo.net, (707) 648-4362

*****

 

Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Progressive Dems to consider “Silent Spring in Benicia?”

There has been a LOT of talk on Benicia Nextdoor about the toxic health effects of using Roundup here in Benicia.  (See Roundup is not Innocent Weed Killer and Silent Spring of East side Benicia.)

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia will offer a forum with local and regional speakers on the topic on June 11.  See information below…

NEXT MEETING – JUNE 11, 2019 – “SILENT SPRING IN BENICIA?

June 11, Tues 7:00 pm
Benicia Library
Dona Benicia room

“Silent Spring in Benicia?”  Let’s talk about herbicides and pesticides.

  • Who – if anyone – is still using Roundup in Benicia?
  • What can be done to stop it?

We will have brief reports by a representative from the City of Benicia and a representative from Benicia Unified School District, and we hope to have someone from Solano County.  Bring your concerns and questions!

Expert speakers will include:

We will also hear from Sustainable Solano about alternatives to glyphosate products.

Hope to see you there!

Ralph Dennis, PDB Chair

Ralph Dennis
Chair

EDIT

California Assembly, California Division of Oil Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), California oil industry, Keeping Watch on Earth News

Grayson is on the fence on AB 1440 – Critical vote could happen today

A critical vote could take place today or early Tuesday.  It would be great if you could make a constituent phone call today.

leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

AB 1440 is proposed legislation that reforms the agency that regulates the oil and gas industry in CA – called the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR.)

The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and associated parties are fighting hard against this bill, which is sorely needed.

The language regulating DOGGR still puts oil and gas interests above human health and community safety.  AB 1440 would change that.

Please call Tim Grayson, as we know WSPA is in his ear today.

Tim Grayson, 14th California Assembly District

Capitol Office
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0014
Tel: (916) 319-2014
Fax: (916) 319-2114

District Office:
420 Virginia Street, Suite 1C
Vallejo, CA 94590
Tel: (707) 642-0314

Thanks!

Keeping Watch on Earth News

Introducing Project Drawdown at the Hercules Library – 100 Solutions to reduce global warming

Event posted on Nextdoor
[See also List Of Climate Change Solutions May Be Key To Reversing It]

Event details

Tue, May 28, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
109 Civic Dr, Hercules
Learn more about Project Drawdown (drawdown.org) and meet others in our community who are already actively working toward making a difference. Snacks will be provided. RSVP or contact for more information the Hercules Library or barbbeno@aol.com