Valero Energy Corporation and Tesoro Petroleum Corporation, two Texas refining companies, have together donated more than $4.5 million to the campaign to repeal AB 32, the state’s clean air and energy law.
But according to a study compiled by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and theCalifornia Environmental Justice Alliance, the two oil companies have produced hundreds of thousands of toxic chemicals, including ammonia, sulfuric acid, asbestos and lead compounds at their refineries in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
The companies have also legally and illegally released many of these compounds into the environment.
"This study reveals what Prop. 23 is really all about," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in a press release. "Prop. 23 is a deceptive ballot measure that will harm the emerging clean energy industry, negatively impact the health of Californians and discourage innovation."
On July 26, Tesoro settled with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to settle 44 air quality violations that included excessive releases of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ammonia. The company agreed to pay the district $366,375. In 2008, it paid $1.5 million to settle air quality violations in Martinez.
Valero was cited earlier this year. On June 17, Valero released hydrocarbon, hydrogen sulfide gas and coke material into the atmosphere from its coker unit in Benicia. Four refinery employees were reportedly injured, and staff reported numerous air quality violations associated with the incident.
A spokesman for Valero said the report “wildly exaggerated” several facts and figures.
For instance, the four workers – two contractors and two Valero employees – mentioned in the Benicia incident were not injured, as the study suggests, but “sprayed with droplets of pitch,” said Bill Day, Valero spokesman. “They were evaluated at the site and quickly returned to work.”
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District incident report states the workers were "injured."
He also pointed to the report’s claim that Valero has outstanding notices. Day says they have all been paid up.
“We are proud of safety and environmental record in California,” said Day.
“The cynical attempt to link these law-abiding employers and Prop. 23 with ‘pollution’ is deliberately misleading,” said Anita Mangels, spokeswoman for Yes on 23, in a press release.
Records show Valero has donated $4.05 million to the Prop. 23 campaign since March, and Tesoro has donated $475,000.
Take ACTION -- Go to the No on 23 website, stopdirtyenergyprop.com
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