Local Insights on Refinery Closure and Community Impact

Last month, Oil Giant Valero announced it would “restructure, or cease operations” at its Benicia refinery by the end of April 2026, as California transitions away from fossil fuels. The news left city officials, workers and residents scrambling to figure out what to do next. Valero is the city’s largest employer and a significant taxpayer, but also a source of pollution.  We talk about the possible closure and what it means for our region.

Guests:

Julie Small, criminal justice reporter, KQED

Severin Borenstein, professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and a faculty director of The Energy Institute at Haas

Josh Sonnenfeld, senior California strategist, BlueGreen Alliance

Steve Young, mayor, Benicia

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