In Benicia’s City Council Race, Valero is on People’s Minds

Benicia is home to an oil refinery operated by Valero, which employs hundreds of people and contributes tax revenue totaling an estimated 20% of the city’s general budget.

The company has also played a very active role in local elections. Valero’s political action committee spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2018 and 2020.

Now, with this year's city council race underway — and residents frustrated over recent controversies at the refinery — Valero’s role in Benicia looms large once again.

Guest: Scott Morris, reporter for the Vallejo Sun

Links:

• ‘Valero looms over Benicia City Council candidates forum,’ by Scott Morris, Oct. 13, 2022.
• ‘'First I Had Heard of It': Valero's Benicia Refinery Secretly Released Toxic Chemicals for Years,’ by Ted Goldberg, Feb. 24, 2022.
• LISTEN: For 15 Years, Valero’s Benicia Refinery Released Toxic Chemicals — And No One Knew, Mar. 1, 2022.
• WATCH: Benicia City Council Candidate Forum on Oct. 12, 2022.

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