Valero Improvement Project
Valero Improvement Project Use Permit
The City of Benicia has created this page to provide information about project implementation and use permit compliance for the Valero Improvement Project (VIP). The VIP is planned to include a number of additions and modifications to the existing refinery to be carried out between 2003 and 2009. The objectives of the VIP are to:
- Provide ability to process lower grades of raw materials.
- Provide flexibility to substitute raw materials - crude oil instead of gas oil.
- Optimize operations for efficient production of clean burning fuels.
- Mitigate project-related impacts to avoid detrimental effects on the community.
The Benicia Planning Commission certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved a use permit for the VIP on April 28, 2003. The Planning Commission decision was appealed to the City Council on May 8, 2003. Subsequently a settlement agreement was reached and the appeal was withdrawn. The requirements of the settlement agreement were added to the 23 conditions of approval imposed by the Planning Commission.