Thank you for placing the health and safety of Benicians above other concerns

By Larnie Fox, April 23, 2025

Dear Mayor, City Council members, and Chief Chadwick,

I am so proud of our City Council and staff!

In light of the recent announcement by Valero to “idle, restructure or cease refining operations”, it is more important than ever to have an Industrial Safety Ordinance in place. In spite of significant pressure and threats from Valero, and at great political cost, you placed the health and safety of Benicians above other concerns. Bravo! And thank you.

I think that Valero’s decision had little to do with our new ISO, but probably did affect the timing of their announcement.

It looks like what made them decide to change their operations next year was the regulatory atmosphere in California, the expense of fixing their hydrogen leak, and the $82M fine from the Air District. California is moving away from fossil fuels, and the company could see the writing on the wall.

What made them announce their decision now? My guess is it was a desire to blame you and your constituents’ measured effort to finally monitor and regulate the refinery’s ongoing release of toxins, and to stir up community resentments.

If they sell or restructure, the ISO will be important to monitor and regulate whatever activities occur on their site. If they shut it down, then we will need a plan in place to assure a “just transition” ~ aka a good clean-up of a very toxic site. With some long-term and visionary thinking, something good may yet come out of this.

The ISO will also be important to regulate the dozen or so other industries that work with dangerous chemicals in town, especially Valero’s other little refinery, the asphalt plant.

It took courage to lead our little town to stand up against big oil, but you did it, and we did it.

Thank you!

Larnie Fox, Benicia