EPA announced a fine Wednesday against a Southern California Valero refinery for violating federal chemical safety laws, as the agency’s regional director aired frustration with the company’s decision to close one of its other facilities in the state.
What happened: EPA announced that it had reached a settlement with Ultramar, which operates Valero’s refinery in Wilmington, over violations of the Clean Air Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, like underestimating the impact a chemical leak could have on neighboring homes and schools. Ultramar will pay $270,437 in penalties.
EPA Region 9 Administrator Josh F.W. Cook, whom President Donald Trump appointed in March, used the announcement to highlight his concerns with Valero’s April decision to shutter its Benicia refinery in the Bay Area by the end of April 2026.
“I had hoped that Valero would invest in upgrades to their California facilities and stay in business in our state,” Cook said. “They will soon shut down at least one California refinery and leave. This will be a huge hit to gas prices in California, Nevada and Arizona.”
