The Valero refinery in Benicia will pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $1.2 million for violating the Clean Air Act, the EPA announced Wednesday.
After what the EPA called “significant chemical incidents” at the refinery in 2017 and 2019, a 2019 inspection found that Valero had failed to report the release of hazardous substances, among other noncompliance issues.
“This settlement sends a clear message that EPA will prosecute companies that fail to expend the resources needed to have a compliant, well-functioning Risk Management Plan to the fullest extent of the law,” Larry Starfield, the acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said in a statement.
As part of the settlement, Valero has agreed to make chemical safety improvements at the Benicia refinery.
Emissions from the refinery have plagued nearby residents in recent years, and in 2019, led city officials to tell residents to stay indoors after the refinery started emitting hazardous particulates.
This isn’t the first time the Valero refinery has had to pay up for emitting smoke or chemicals into the air. In April 2017, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District fined Valero $340,000 for 28 different violations committed in 2014. A month later, they were hit with four additional violations — one for causing a public nuisance and three for releasing excessive smoke.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Source: www.mercurynews.com