Valero says moving ahead to shut California refinery after talks with officials (VLO:NYSE)

Valero says moving ahead to shut California refinery after talks with officials (VLO:NYSE)

Valero Energy said it moving ahead with its plan to close its 145,000 bbl/day Benicia refinery in California by next spring after talks with state officials about options to keep it running.

Valero Charges Forward with California Refinery Shutdown: Newsom's Net Zero "Victory" Accelerates the Exodus of Oil and Gas from the Golden State

In a move that underscores the relentless squeeze on California’s fossil fuel industry, Valero Energy has confirmed it will proceed with shutting down its Benicia refinery by April 2026, despite last-ditch negotiations with state officials. The 145,000-barrel-per-day facility, a cornerstone of West Coast refining since 1968, falls victim to what Valero cites as an unforgiving regulatory thicket and escalating operational costs—hallmarks of Gover…