Air Regulators Fine Valero Benicia Refinery $3.25 Million For Multiple Air Quality Violations

CBS Bay Area

April 29, 2026

The Valero refinery in Benicia was issued fines totaling $3.25 billion for multiple air quality violations and ongoing compliance issues, air regulators announced Tuesday.

The Bay Area Air District said in a press release that the violations stemmed from a series of operational and equipment-related incidents at the refinery over multiple years that resulted in excess emissions and community complaints. The 118 violations cited included exceeding particulate matter levels and a release of butane, along with failing to have a monitoring plan to meet emission tracking rules, the Air District said.

"This penalty holds Valero accountable for air quality violations and makes clear that noncompliance has consequences," Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Air District, said in a prepared statement. "In addition to the financial penalty, this action strengthens air monitoring and public access to essential data so the Benicia community can see what is happening at the refinery through the idling of operations."

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