Benicia Independent, Roger Straw

The Benicia Independent – a personal word…

Second eye surgery puts a temporary hold on BenIndy editor Roger Straw

Roger Straw, The Benicia Independent

With so much happening in Benicia and so much spewing forth from the Trump administration, and so much beautiful protest and resistance happening everywhere… you’d think the BenIndy would be in full gear.

Unfortunately, my eyesight and other physical setbacks has kept me at less than full speed during the last three months. And… this week I’m going in for a second eye surgery for a detached retina.

I’ll be posting Steve Golub’s latest piece here, but “taking my eyes off the scene” for awhile after that.

Just so ya know, my heart is still in it, my awareness has not dimmed, and my affirmation and encouragement for our massive show of resistance is strong as ever.

Roger Straw

Benicia Strong!

Benicia CA, Just transition, Valero Benicia Refinery

BREAKING NEWS BENICIA – Valero submits plan to idle or close Benicia Refinery by 2026

Valero Energy Submits Notice of Plan to Idle or Close Benicia Refinery, Take Pre-Tax Impairment of $1.1 Billion

Google Search: Valero Benicia Refinery 2025-04-16 09:30 AM

MarketScreener.com, April 16, 2025

(MT Newswires) — Valero Energy (VLO) said Wednesday its Valero Refining subsidiary has submitted notice to the California Energy Commission of its current plan to idle, restructure, or cease refining operations at Valero’s Benicia Refinery by the end of April 2026.
Valero said it is evaluating strategic alternatives for its other operations in California.

In connection with the evaluation, the company said it has recorded a combined pre-tax impairment charge of $1.1 billion for its Benicia and Wilmington refineries, to be treated as a special item and excluded from first quarter 2025 adjusted earnings.

Included in the amount is the recognition of expected asset retirement obligations of $337 million as of March 31, 2025, the company said.

Benicia CA, Democracy under attack, Local vigilance, Resist!

TWO Weekly Benicia protests – Sundays and Thursdays at City Park

Benicia is alive with citizen opposition to Trump’s chaoic and illegal authoritarian takeover threat

April in Benicia is a month of flowering trees, the start of Farmers Market and crowds at the 9th Street beach. This year it’s also the genesis of two, count ’em, TWO citizen protests! We are aware, and we care, and we will not be silent!

Thursdays at 5pm…

Longtime Benicia organizer-activist Susan Street put out a call for Thursday night vigils, starting on April 3. A good crowd has gathered each Thursday since at the Gazebo in City Park, First & Military Streets. Here’s from her announcement:

VIGIL FOR DEMOCRACY
Every Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m.
On the sidewalk by the Gazebo

 
[map / directions]
Come whenever you can, stay as long or as briefly as you can. Bring your signs, bells, kazoos, noisemakers. Invite ten people to join us.

Stay on the sidewalk. Don’t block anyone attempting to walk through. Ignore any harassment.

Sundays at noon…

Benician Heather Pierini put out a similar call in late March to protest the cuts made by DOGE and the current administration. Friends and neighbors gather near the Gazebo on Sundays, 12 – 1PM. Initially this was to take place every second Sunday, but soon that was changed – now it’s EVERY Sunday. Here’s from the FB page:

No, no, Bad DOGE
Every Sunday at 12 PM – 1 PM
City Park, Benicia