"Valero will idle its Benicia refinery beginning in 2026 while continuing to supply Northern California with gasoline through imports and existing inventories, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. In a statement released on Jan. 6, Newsom said Valero's revised approach marked a shift from an earlier announcement that included the possibility of a full closure and exit from the Northern California market as early as this year."
"Under the updated plan, the Benicia refinery is set to continue producing gasoline through April 2026. After that, Valero plans to fully shut down the facility while importing gasoline to meet the demand in Northern California. State officials said the strategy is intended to maintain price stability and a steady supply as discussions about the refinery's long-term future continue."
""While others point fingers to spread fear and divide us, California is doing the actual work - collaborating with industry, using data and transparency to protect consumers, and building the all-of-the-above energy future America needs," Newsom said. "We're in ongoing discussions with Valero to evaluate options for continued operations at the Benicia refinery and I appreciate the company planning responsibly, including planning for imports of refined products to supply the market in the meantime.""
Valero will idle the Benicia refinery beginning in 2026, with gasoline production continuing through April 2026. After April, the facility will fully shut down and Valero will import gasoline and use existing inventories to meet Northern California demand. State officials say the approach aims to preserve price stability and a steady fuel supply while long-term options for the refinery are evaluated. The Newsom administration will continue coordinating with Valero and other stakeholders to ensure fuel reliability during the energy transition. Operations at Valero's Wilmington refinery are expected to remain unchanged.
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