2015 in review: Crude-by-rail debate enters fourth year

(Originally published in the 1/1/16 edition)

   As 2016 begins, Valero’s Crude-By-Rail-Project is entering its fourth year of being debated on. The project, which aims to extend three Union Pacific Railroad road tracks onto Valero’s property in Benicia to deliver North American crude oil by train instead of by boat, was publicly announced in Feb. 2013 and was expected to be completed by the end of that year. However, strong opposition by residents and environmental groups triggered a debate that still goes on to this day.

   As 2016 will continue to have more major developments regarding the crude-by-rail project, it is important to understand where the project stands right now, especially with its developments in the last 12 months.

   The biggest news regarding the project was the release of the Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR). The first Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was released in June 2014 to address the environmental and safety concerns that residents had about the project. However, the document was criticized by many, including California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who felt the report’s focus on the 69 miles of road between Roseville and Benicia did not adequately cover the scope of the project’s impacts. The RDEIR extended its focus to include three new routes: from the Oregon state line to Roseville, the Nevada state line to northern Roseville and the Nevada state line to southern Roseville.

   The RDEIR was expected to be released in June 2015, but delays pushed it back to Aug. 31. The new report, after extending its scope beyond the Roseville/Benicia route, found more “significant and unavoidable” environmental impacts, including direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of nitrogen-oxide levels in the Yolo-Solano region and increased threats toward protected wildlife species.

   The release of the report, and the public comment period that followed, resulted in a packed City Hall for its Sept. 29 City Planning Commission meeting, where both supporters and opponents of the project turned up in droves. Supporters of the project argue that it would create temporary jobs in the construction of rails and permanent jobs in the operation of the project, provide $30,000 in tax revenues, operate under current air permits with Bay Area Air Quality Management District and reduce dependence on oil from the Middle East. 

   Meanwhile, opponents of the project contend that the project would increase air pollution, fuel climate change, increase greenhouse gas emissions and would be very dangerous in the event of a train explosion- particularly in the wake of an oil train explosion in Quebec shortly after the project was announced as well as numerous others since. 

   Elsewhere in the year, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa) who represents Benicia in the House, co-authored the Crude-by-Rail Safety Act in March to establish safety standards for transporting crude oil by train. Among other things, the bill would aim to make oil train cars more durable and assure that first responders are on hand to handle emergencies. As of press time, the bill has not made it past committee, and government transparency website GovTrack.us believes it has a 4 percent chance of being enacted due to it being sponsored by Democrats, the minority party in Congress.

   The Final Environmental Impact Report is expected to be released in early 2016 to respond to comments on both the DEIR and the RDEIR. Amy Million, the principal planner in the Community Development Department, could not be reached for comment.

   For more information on the crude-by-rail project or to read public comments, visit the city of Benicia’s website at ci.benicia.ca.us. 

2015 in review: Benicia's year characterized by ordinance changes, other developments

(Originally published in the 1/1/16 edition)

   The city of Benicia saw some big changes in 2015.

   First, the city hired a new police chief. Erik Upson assumed the title vacated by Andrew Bidou who left to accept a new job as police chief of Vallejo. Upson had spent 17 years as a captain at the Berkeley Police Department and was officially sworn in at a May 19 ceremony. During his tenure, Upson has pushed for stronger community outreach, having ushered in the department’s first social media presence with a Facebook page in December. Upson says the department will continue to expand its social media outreach in 2016.

   The City Council made many changes to city ordinances, including lifting the ban on urban beekeeping in residential areas, limiting the amount of outdoor construction hours and expanding the Mills Act, where owners of historically significant homes get tax breaks by maintaining their homes in historically accurate ways.

   Benicia also received extensive coverage for a grisly crime story. Nolen Buchanan, a 16-year-old Benicia High School student, was arrested on suspicion of killing his father, father’s fiancee and half brother. Buchanan is accused of having shot his family in their cabin in Greenwood and burning the property to the ground. The case is currently being handled in El Dorado County.

   After taking part in the Marin Clean Energy program in 2014, Benicia residents were provided with the renewable energy  electricity provider, replacing Pacific Gas and Electric. However, those who wished to opt out and keep PG&E were able to do so.

   Finally, ground broke for a new bus hub in the Industrial Park. The hub was a collaborative effort among the city, Solano County Transit Authority and area transit providers, including SolTrans. The center will give Benicians a chance to travel to BART stations across the Bay Area and will have 46 parking spaces, a “kiss-and-ride” area and two bus shelters.

2015 year in review: Benicia Unified has big year

(Originally published in the 12/31/15 edition)

   The past year for Benicia Unified School District has been characterized primarily by changes in leadership and continuing bond projects.

   In February, Superintendent Janice Adams announced her retirement after eight years with the district. In May, Dr. Charles Young was chosen as her successor. Young had spent four years as associate superintendent of educational services in the Palo Alto Unified School District and earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from California State University- East Bay in 1995 and his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of La Verne. 

   Benicia High School and Benicia Middle School also saw new leadership. Benicia Middle School principal Christina Moore was appointed to become the new principal at Robert Semple Elementary, where she previously taught for 16 years. She was succeeded by Stephen Brady, who had previously served as principal of Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord. Maya Nelson, an art teacher at Benicia High, was appointed to become one of Benicia Middle School’s new vice principals. 

   At Benicia High, Mark Corti was announced as the new interim principal following Damon Wright’s resignation in June. Corti received his master’s degree in educational leadership at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga and served as principal of California High School in San Ramon for 15 years. 

   Measure S projects continued to dominate school board discussions in 2015, and some projects were even completed. The bond revenue initiative was passed by voters in June 2014 to provide $49.6 million in bond funding for projects at the district’s schools. In September, new playgrounds were constructed at Robert Semple Elementary School and Mary Farmar Elementary School, and buildings at Benicia High received new coats of paint designed to fit more with the school’s blue and gold colors. The renovation of Benicia High’s stadium was discussed at many school board meetings, and the draft design was approved in November. The project is scheduled to be completed in October.

   On a sad note, longtime board member Rosie Switzer passed away Nov. 29. Switzwer had been representing the district for 46 continuous years, first as an elementary school teacher from 1969 to 2004 and then as a board member from 2005 until her death. The board observed a moment of silence for Switzer at its Dec. 10 meeting, and members praised her generosity and dedication to students. The board will appoint a new member Jan. 21 after an application process. The new trustee will serve until the general election in November.