Overview
- Valero will begin idling processing units in February, continue producing gasoline through April 2026, then fully idle the Benicia facility.
- The company says it will fulfill supply contracts using existing inventories and increased imports to Northern California, with no stated duration for the import plan.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and the California Energy Commission report ongoing coordination with Valero and market participants to safeguard reliability and prices.
- Valero is preparing a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, and the company says some employees may transfer to other locations; the refinery employs more than 400 people.
- Benicia’s city manager estimates nearly $12 million in annual losses to the general fund and water revenues, with wider regional economic impacts if operations cease.