UPDATE: Air District investigating odors at Valero Benicia Refinery
Update, Jan. 27: The Benicia Fire Department issued a notice Wednesday that intermittent odors and flaring at the Valero refinery are related to refinery shutdown operations, and that "these conditions are expected to continue intermittently over the next several months."
The Department is working with Bay Area Air District staff to monitor air quality and to coordinate with Solano County Public Health to inform the community of any public health measure necessary.
You can report odor complaints to the Air District at 800-334-ODOR.
If you have questions or concerns about what this means, send them to monica@thebeniciabridge.com. Your input will guide our reporting.
Original Story, Jan. 26: Bay Area Air District investigators were on-site at the Valero Benicia Refinery on Monday to determine the cause of heavy odors in the air. The investigation comes after Benicia residents have reported odors and “extended” flaring at the plant during the past two weeks.
Investigators were on site “trying to determine the cause and identifying corrective actions,” said Miranda Iglesias, a spokesperson for Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The regional public agency regulates air pollution for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, and in 2024 levied a record $82 million penalty against Valero for illegal emissions from Benicia Refinery.
For weeks, residents have reported odors and excessive flaring at Valero, which is preparing to permanently idle the refinery this spring. The Air District also investigated the Martinez Refining Company Monday afternoon for similar complaints.
The Air Quality Index for Benicia was moderate Monday due to elevated levels of particulate matter, meaning people who are very sensitive to pollution should consider reducing activity or shortening the amount of active time outdoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency alert system at AirNow.gov.
Particulate matter or PM 2.5 is very small particles in the air that can cause serious health effects, including heart and lung disease after repeated exposure to elevated levels. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible.
Deputy Health Officer of Solano County Public Health determined a shelter-in-place was not required.
Benicia Fire Department also issued a public notice Monday afternoon that the odors are related to normal refinery operations. The department added that firefighters had not detected readings above air quality standards when using portable air monitoring equipment to check air quality in neighborhoods across the city. Location, wind direction and sensitivity of the device can affect readings.
A department spokesperson clarified that Valero had not informed the department of any abnormal activities at the refinery.
“Over the last two weeks, we’ve been getting odor complaints intermittently with smells of petroleum gas on the east side of the city and the Southampton neighborhood,” said Benicia Fire Department Public Information Officer Della Olm.
“We have not received any notice from Valero in the last two weeks about significant flaring or an incident. However, we have received several calls with citizens concerned with extended flaring.”
Benicia Mayor Steve Young said he thinks odors and flaring are related to Valero's decommissioning process.
“What you're seeing is, at least what the air district believes is, which Valero is saying, is that this is part of the decommissioning process,” Young said in a phone interview with The Benicia Bridge Monday morning.
“They need to basically clear out all the pipes and deal with all the stuff that's in the system before they can start dismantling, and they've got gases and oils within all the piping infrastructure that has to be cleaned out, and the flaring is part of that process.”
This report will be updated if Valero representatives respond to a request for comment.
Reporting by Monica Vaughan. Contact her at monica@thebeniciabridge.com.
