The City of Benicia Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the recirculated draft EIR (RDEIR) for a proposed crude-by-rail project. The proposed project would allow the Benicia Valero Refinery to receive up to 70,000 barrels per day of its crude by rail. It currently receives crude by ship and pipeline. The project involves installation of a new railcar unloading rack, rail track spurs, pumps, pipeline and other infrastructure at the refinery.

The environmental analysis conducted to date indicates that there would be significant and unavoidable impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous materials and biological resources. The RDEIR considers potential impacts that could occur between the crude oil trains point of origin and the California state border, and from the border to Roseville, CA.

The RDEI can be reviewed and download from the Planning Commission’s page on the the City of Benicia website.

Additional planning Commission meetings to receive comments on the RDEIR are scheduled for Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8. These would be held only as necessary to hear public comment. Comments may also be submitted on in writing, no later than 5 PM on Thursday, Oct. 15.