Valero to import gasoline after Benicia refinery closure, governor says

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Valero will import gasoline into Northern California after the Benicia refinery shuts in April 2026, using existing inventories and imports, and that Valero's Wilmington operations remain unchanged.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Valero will import gasoline into Northern California after the company closes its Benicia refinery in April 2026. The refinery was announced last year as a planned shutdown of the 145,000-barrel-per-day facility. Newsom said Valero's updated plan combines existing inventories and imports to supply the market. He added that discussions about continued operations at Benicia are ongoing. Key points: - Valero plans to supply Northern California through a mix of inventories and imports after Benicia closes. - The Benicia refinery is scheduled to cease operations in April 2026 and has a capacity of about 145,000 barrels per day. - Governor Newsom described the change as a constructive shift from an earlier possibility of a full exit from the Northern California market. - Operations at Valero's Wilmington refinery in Los Angeles County are reported as unchanged. Summary: Valero's updated plan aims to maintain fuel supply for Northern California after the Benicia refinery closure in April 2026. Governor Newsom said the company will use inventories and imports and that talks about continued Benicia operations are ongoing. Operations at Wilmington remain unchanged. The timing of any further operational decisions was not announced.