Fire crews responded Monday to an active fire at the Valero Refinery in Benicia, California. The fire department reported units were on the scene at the facility, which processes 145,000 barrels per day.
Smoke from the Valero fire was visible from nearby Highway 4. The Benicia fire department confirmed its personnel were addressing the situation.
Contra Costa Health spokeswoman Brittany Goldman stated the agency was aware of the incident. A HazMat team is being sent to Martinez to monitor for potential impacts from the blaze.
The incident occurs months after Valero announced plans to cease refining operations at the Bay Area facility by next April. The company submitted notice to the California Energy Commission regarding its intention to idle, restructure, or cease refining.
Valero has owned and operated the Valero Refinery since 2000 and is a major employer in Benicia and Solano County. The planned closure could affect over 400 employees seeking new jobs.
Company representatives previously cited regulatory pressure, fines for air quality violations, and a lawsuit settlement related to environmental concerns as reasons for the decision. The company is evaluating options for other California operations.
In October, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District fined Valero nearly $82 million, the largest penalty issued by the agency. The fine stemmed from a history of toxic chemical releases and other violations dating back to 2003.
A 2019 inspection found the company failed to report toxic emissions from the facility's hydrogen system, contributing to the history of fines for air quality violations and a lawsuit settlement over environmental concerns.
The penalties and past issues involving toxic chemical releases have been a focus for regulatory bodies like the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
