Overview

• The California Energy Commission is actively seeking buyers to prevent the Valero Benicia refinery’s scheduled April 2026 shutdown.
• The agency has contacted HF Sinclair and European operators as potential suitors for the 145,000-barrel-per-day facility.
• A recent intermittent flaring incident prompted monitoring by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District but posed no off-site health risks.
• Benicia city officials have formed task forces to address an anticipated $10 million revenue shortfall if the refinery closes.
• The refinery accounts for about 9% of California’s crude processing capacity and its loss could heighten reliance on costly fuel imports and drive gasoline prices higher.