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Benicia leaders press air district for local share of settlement funds as council reviews post-Valero planning
Summary
Council heard task force updates on planning for a potential Valero refinery closure, discussed air district settlement guidelines and urged a substantial local set-aside (one councilmember proposed 25%) for communities affected by emissions and economic impacts.
Council members provided updates from task forces charged with planning for a potential Valero refinery transition and related economic impacts. Mayor Mary Young and staff described meetings with the regional air district about guidelines for distributing settlement funds from an enforcement action; staff urged a timeline that would permit the city to use awards or commitments as it prepares the fiscal 2026 budget.
Councilmember Lager Zapata urged the air district to reserve at least 25% of community investment funds for affected communities. Mayor Young said he will travel to Sacramento to testify before a joint assembly committee about local impacts of refinery closure and that the city wants tools and time to plan for a post-Valero future rather than immediate disruption. Staff also said the city is exploring an ‘economic recovery’ set-aside suggestion and will work with the sustainability commission to vet project ideas for submission to the district.
Public commenters and councilmembers emphasized transparent community workshops and broad engagement on how settlement monies would be used. Staff said staff and district guidelines will come back to the council for further comment before the air district adopts final rules.
