The Benicia Independent, by Marilyn Bardet, September 12, 2025VALERO BENICIA REFINERY TO CLOSE? Evidently, the state was caught off guard, ill prepared for a second refinery closure, just after Phillips 66’s Wilmington refinery had announced last year that they’d be closing this year, (in fact, that closure is in progress). It’s well documented that Big Oil despises California’s extensive environmental regulations that they say impede doing business in this state. In my view, Valero holds all the cards, keeping its 3 options open with no official mention of “closure”. The state has its tail between its legs, wagging, suckered into deal-making with an oil giant.