This is a video clip of the closing comments of each of the Benicia Planning Commissioners followed by their unanimous vote on February 11, 2016. This clip runs for about 1:20 minutes. (On the City’s longer and unindexed video, this clip begins at 3:38:30 on 2/11/16 and runs to the end. Note that the video archive of the entire meeting can be found on the City of Benicia website at ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.)
Category Archives: Public Safety
VIDEO: The public speaking against Valero crude by rail
Repost of YouTube VIDEO By Constance Beutel
Public Comments opposed to Valero’s Crude by Rail Project
On February 9th and 10th during the Benicia Planning Commission hearings on the Final Environmental Impact Report for Valero’s Crude by Rail proposal, the public spoke. This video contains extracts of those who opposed the project.
This 1½-hour segment shows many, but far from all of the nearly 50 who spoke against Valero’s dangerous and dirty oil train proposal on Feb. 9-10. The video begins with the formal presentation of Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community, by Marilyn Bardet and Andrés Soto.
The full video of all four Feb. 8-11 Planning Commission meetings can be found at the City’s website, Agendas & Minutes.
VIDEO: Attorneys speaking against Valero crude by rail
Repost of YouTube VIDEO By Constance Beutel
Valero Crude by Rail: Attorneys speaking against CBR
Attorneys representing a variety of agencies presented rationale opposing Valero Benicia’s Crude by Rail (CBR) project. These video extracts are from the City of Benicia’s video archive of the Benicia Planning Commission hearings, February 8-11, 2016.
This segment shows the allowed 5-minutes each for the following attorneys:
- Rachael Koss of Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo (on behalf of Safe Fuel and Energy Resources California [SAFER])
- Jackie Prange of the Natural Resources Defense Council
- Elly Benson of the Sierra Club
- Claudia Antonacci of the Stanford Mills Legal Clinic representing the Center for Biological Diversity
- Rylee Kercher of the Stanford Mills Legal Clinic representing the Center for Biological Diversity
The full video of all four Feb. 8-11 Planning Commission meetings can be found at the City’s website, Agendas & Minutes.
ABC7 VIDEO: Benicia City Council Considers Valero Refinery’s Plan to Ship Crude Oil by Rail
Repost from ABC7 / KGO News, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose
Benicia City Council Considers Valero Refinery’s Plan to Ship Crude Oil by Rail
By Katie Marzullo, March 16, 2016 11:37AM
BENICIA, Calif. (KGO) — Benicia considered a controversial topic Tuesday night, transporting crude oil by train. Opponents say it’s an environmental catastrophe waiting to happen, but supporters say it’s safe.
Tuesday is the city council’s first pass at hearing Valero’s proposal to move crude oil by rail. The planning commission rejected it last month and Valero appealed. It’s an hours-long process to reintroduce all of the reports council members were still asking questions late into Tuesday night.
The Valero refinery in Benicia already brings crude oil into the facility by pipeline and ship and it wants to add rail. Members of Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community have been opposed since the beginning.
“Air emission impacts, traffic impacts, as well as the risk of catastrophic explosion here in Benicia that could destroy the economy and estroy the culture of this community for generations to come,” said Andres Sotos, a member of Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community.
The city might not have a choice. Staff and consultants point to federal laws that don’t allow cities to regulate railroads. But others say Benicia has every right to reject Valero’s proposal.
“I’ve never seen a city, and I’ve been on the city council. I’ve never seen a city give up their permitting power and I think it’s the wrong direction for the city to take,” said Benicia resident Jan Cox Golovich.
Last month, the planning commission unanimously rejected Valero’s plan. Now it’s fate is in the hands of the city council. Valero is optimistic.
“We believe it can be done safely and we’re looking forward to making that case to the city council in our appeal,” said Valero director of health and safety Chris Howe.
Valero wants to move 70,000 barrels of crude oil by rail and rely less on shipping. Public comment on the issue is scheduled for April 4.