Jan 6 (Reuters) – California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday that Valero Energy (VLO.N), opens new tab would keep importing gasoline into Northern California after its Benicia refinery ceases operations in April rather than making a full exit from the market.The San Antonio, Texas-based refiner said last year, opens new tab it would shut the 145,000-barrel-per-day San Francisco-area refinery by April 2026, amid concerns about California’s declining fuel supplies and high gasoline prices.
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Newsom said in a statement that Valero’s updated plan included supplying the market through a combination of existing inventories and imports.
It marked a “constructive shift” from an earlier announcement that included the possibility of full closure and exit from the Northern California market by early 2026, he 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,” Newsom added.
Valero did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Operations at Valero’s Wilmington refinery in Los Angeles County remain unchanged, the statement from Newsom said.
Reporting by Swati Verma in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Jamie Freed
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