The Pride of Benicia: The 57-Year Legacy of a Refinery and Its People

The Pride of Benicia: The 57-Year Legacy of a Refinery and Its People

When people discuss the closure of the Valero Benicia Refinery, the conversation usually centers on fuel production, energy policy, and economics. But what we lost was more than a refinery. For 57 years, the Benicia Refinery was a source of opportunity, pride, and purpose for thousands of families. It was where parents earned the wages that bought first homes, paid for college educations, and created better lives for their children. It was where…

The Pride of Benicia: The 57-Year Legacy of a Refinery and Its People - Energy News Beat

ENB Pub Note: This article was first published on the California Globe, and we highly recommend reading their work daily. Katy Grimes, Editor in Chief, and Mike Ariza have both been on the Energy News Beat Channel!    What we lost was more than a refinery By Mike Ariza, June 23, 2026 4:26 pm When people discuss the closure of the Valero Benicia Refinery, the conversation usually centers on fuel production, energy policy, and economics. But what…