BISHO Working Group report on the March 4th City Council Meeting
By BISHO Working Group, concerned citizens supporting adoption of the Benicia Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance (BISHO), March 5, 2025
The BISHO Working Group is very pleased to announce that the Benicia City Council unanimously voted last night to approve the latest draft of the Industrial Safety Ordinance (“ISO”). The 5-0 vote approved of the “first reading” and will now progress forward to a “second reading” sometime late March to mid-April, 2025. This is a huge victory!
Council Chambers were packed with both opponents and supporters of the ISO. The public comment from both sides lasted several hours.
Opponents included Valero Benicia Refinery Vice President and General Manager Lauren Bird and numerous employees, contractors and tradesmen, as well as several civic organizations who were concerned that Valero’s charitable support for school, civic and sports programs might cease if the ISO were adopted.
Proponents pointed out that while Valero’s civic and charitable work is much appreciated, its spotty track record for health and safety was not.
Others spoke passionately and told stories about how these emissions have affected them and their families personally.
Terry Mollica spoke on behalf of BISHO and pointed out that Valero had been fined $82 million by the Air Resources Board for 16 years of violations between 2003 and 2019 for releasing hydrogen sulfide at a rate of 2.7 tons per day, over 360 times the legal limit – and that as recently as Monday, March 4, 2025, fence-line monitors showed emissions over three times above safe levels.
The meeting was covered by KQED NEWS. See reporter Julie Small’s coverage at Benicia Moves Toward Tougher Oversight of Valero Refinery.
The March 4 vote will not be the final step in the adoption process, but it now seems likely that the draft ordinance will be adopted at the “second reading.”
Mayor Steve Young explained that the City had commissioned a study from a private consultant to estimate the fees necessary to administer the program, as had been requested by Valero and other regulated businesses. That report is expected to be released in draft form in late March or early April, 2025. The “second reading” will take place after that report is available
Though we are pleased with the progress to date, there is still much to be done to implement the law once it is adopted, especially making recommendations for appointees to the Oversight Commission. BISHO is actively investigating potential nominees and will make recommendations, and encourage likely candidates to apply. Please let us know if you have an interest serving on that commission.
The Working Group is asking supporters to express their appreciation to the City Council, and especially to Vice Mayor Terry Scott, Council Member Kari Birdseye, and Chief Chadwick, who have worked so hard to bring us to this point. Below is their contact information:
- Council Member Terry Scott TScott@ci.benicia.ca.us
- Council Member Kari Birdseye KBirdseye@ci.benicia.ca.us
- Fire Chief Josh Chadwick jchadwick@ci.benicia.ca.us
- Mayor Steve Young SYoung@ci.benicia.ca.us
- Council Member Lionel Largaespada llargaespada@ci.benicia.ca.us
- Council Member Trevor Macenski TMacenski@ci.Benicia.ca.us
And… a big thanks to you for your support, for showing up, for contacting your elected officials. It wouldn’t have happened without all of us working together.
Congratulations!
Sincerely,
The BISHO Working Group
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