Overview
- Valero will begin a phased power-down in February and expects most processing units at the Benicia refinery to be idled by April 2026.
- The company says Northern California demand will be met using on-hand inventories and increased gasoline imports, with contractual obligations maintained.
- Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Energy Commission are in ongoing discussions with Valero to evaluate options for continued operations and to safeguard fuel reliability.
- Valero is preparing a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, and the Benicia plant employs roughly 400 workers, with transfer opportunities expected for some staff.
- Operations at Valero’s Wilmington refinery in Los Angeles County remain unchanged, and state officials characterize the Benicia plan as supportive of steady supply and price stability.