Tag Archives: Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community

Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community

Need for better coverage of BSHC in local press

[Editor: I sent the following letter to the Editor of the Benicia Herald.  It was published in the July 6 print edition.    A similar letter was sent to the Vallejo Times-Herald, but has yet to appear there.  – RS]

Why no coverage of BSHC event?

July 2, 2014, Benicia Herald Forum, p. A4

In response to the recent release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on Valero’s proposed Crude by Rail project, three groups held public meetings on the massive document this past week.  Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community (BSHC) held an event on Saturday, June 28; Valero and the Benicia Planning Commission held events on Monday, June 30.  BSHC sent out a timely press release, announced the event in emails, and submitted it for inclusion in the Benicia Herald Community Calendar.  I am aware that your staff cannot be everywhere and cover every significant event in town.  Nevertheless, I regret that only the Valero and Planning Commission forums received prominent and detailed coverage in the July 2 edition of the Benicia Herald.

Readers might want to balance the promotional perspectives shared by Valero at its meeting, and the comments of the City’s contract attorney at the Planning Commission workshop by looking over the information on SafeBenicia.org and/or BeniciaIndependent.com.  A video of parts of the June 28 BSHC workshop on how to read and comment on an EIR can be seen on YouTube at http://youtu.be/9Prey7fckk8, (thanks to Constance Beutel).

An increasing number of thoughtful citizens in Benicia oppose Valero’s proposal, for good reason: the City’s health and safety are at risk; our uprail communities (Davis, Sacramento, etc.) do not want Valero’s trains putting their health and safety at risk; and California, the U.S., Canada – and the earth – cannot handle more dirty and explosive crude oil when clean energy is our chosen future and legislated mandate.  To remain truly competitive into the future, Valero should invest in a plan for an immediate transition away from fossil fuels.

Roger Straw
Member of the Steering Committee
Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community
www.SafeBenicia.org

(Note: Here are links for Benicia Herald coverage of the Valero forum and Planning Commission forum.)
California Regulation, DEIR, Valero Crude By Rail

Video coverage of BSHC Workshop on Valero DEIR

See video below from Constance Beutel on YouTube

Benicia Videographer Constance Beutel covers Workshop sponsored by Benicians For a Safe & Healthy Community

On Saturday, June 28, Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community (BSHC) offered a free public workshop on “How to Read and Comment on Valero’s Draft EIR.”

The event, attended by over 60, was primarily an objective study of general information on Environmental Impact Reports, legal requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and an explanation of how ordinary citizens are encouraged to participate in reviewing and commenting on these lengthy documents.

While event planners sought to present an impartial forum as an educational experience, there were plenty of questions and comments from participants that took issue with Valero’s proposal.

After the presentations, breakout groups worked on issues of concern to participants.

Local videographer Constance Beutel covered three of the speakers on her YouTube page.  See the video below, and check out Constance’s many other videos here: http://youtu.be/9Prey7fckk8.

Draft EIR, Take Action, Valero Crude By Rail

Vallejo Times-Herald: Letter to the Editor by Kathy Kerridge

Repost from The Vallejo Times-Herald, LETTERS

Kathy Kerridge: You make the call in Benicia

Vallejo Times-Herald, Letters, 06/26/2014  

Benicia is being asked to make a huge decision regarding our health and safety by approving Valero’s Crude by Rail project, which would bring 100 carloads of crude oil into Benicia each day.

This crude could be the same that has been involved in explosive derailments all over the United States and Canada, including one incident that caused the death of 47 people in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. It could also be from the Canadian tar sands, which has proved impossible to clean up in a spill.

Our planning commission wisely determined that an Environmental Impact Report be done to evaluate this project. It is now our turn to weigh in on this important document. That seems a bit daunting since most of us have never heard of or read an environmental impact report. Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community will be holding a workshop on how the average person can read at comment on this report. The workshop runs on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Benicia Library.

This project has enormous implications for our city, county and state. You have the opportunity to shape the decision.

Kathy Kerridge
Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community

DEIR, Take Action, Valero Crude By Rail

Three Benicia Workshops on How to Read and Respond to a Draft EIR

BENICIA NEWS

In the next few days, there will be THREE opportunities to learn more about how to read and respond to a Draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report).

  1. Workshop on How to Respond to Valero’s Draft Environmental Impact Report  (DEIR), This Saturday, June 28, 1-4pm, Benicia Public Library –  Sponsored by Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community.  Learn about the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the procedures governing review of Valero’s proposal, including how you can comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).  Instruction, brainstorming, and organizing our responses.  Refreshments included!  Bring a friend.
  2. Next Monday, 6/30, 5:30pm, Ironworkers Hall, 3120 Bayshore Road, Benicia, sponsored by Valero.
  3. Also on Monday, 6/30, 7pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 250 East L Street, Benicia, sponsored by City of Benicia staff at the request of the Benicia Planning Commission.

NOTE: If you can’t make one of these workshops, you are still encouraged to make your views known.  Commenting on the DEIR can be as hard or easy as you make it.  If you have something to say to the City of Benicia now, please send an email today.   Send your comments to:

    • Amy Million, Principal Planner, Community Development Department, by email: amillion@ci.benicia.ca.us.  AND
    • Brad Kilger, City Manager, by email: bkilger@ci.benicia.ca.us
      Amy and Brad may also be contacted by delivery to 250 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510, or by Fax: (707) 747-1637.
    • Benicia Planning Commissioners, send via email to Amy Million, requesting her to forward on to Planning Commissioners.

For safe and healthy communities…