by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
This is a massive redistribution of private sector wealth
The California Air Resources Board, which will be voting on new gas regulations Nov. 8th likely resulting in a .65 cent per gallon increase in gas prices, proudly just announced they have issued a massive fine to Valero oil company:
Bay Area Air District and CARB fine Valero Refining Co. $82 million for air quality violations
Historic penalties to benefit the Benicia area and overburdened communities around the Bay Area
It’s not just any fine, “This penalty is the largest ever assessed in the Air District’s history.”
The air district referenced is the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which together with California Air Resources Board (CARB) made the announcement of the nearly $82 million penalty “to address significant air pollution violations by Valero Refining Co. at its Benicia refinery.”
This redistribution of private sector wealth will ostensibly be spent on the local community, justifying the fine: “Over $64 million of these funds will be returned to the local community to finance projects aimed at reducing air pollution exposure, mitigating air pollution impacts and improving public health in areas surrounding the refinery.”
