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Environment 

Valero makes significant investments in environmental initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to a cleaner environment.
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Refining Unit Environmental Stewardship: A Core Value
Even as Valero has grown and boosted production, it has achieved significant emission reductions and invested in producing cleaner-burning gasoline, diesel and ethanol-blended fuels. For example:
  • Valero has dramatically reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by installing state-of-the-art “scrubbers” at refineries on central processing units known as fluidized catalytic cracking units.
  • Valero’s low-sulfur gasoline and diesel program not only reduces sulfur emissions from cars but allows new automobile technology to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons – major components of smog.
Focused on Alternative Energy, Technology

Valero understands the importance of investing in alternative-energy opportunities and latest technologies to protect the environment.

  • Valero acquired seven world-scale ethanol plants and one development site, making it the first traditional refiner to enter production of ethanol.
  • The company built a wind farm outside its McKee Refinery in the Texas Panhandle, with plans to expand to 33 turbines generating 50 megawatts of electricity.
  • New infrared technology allows Valero to quickly find and repair leaks of gaseous hydrocarbons, thereby reducing emissions into the environment.
  • Valero is investing in new flare-gas recovery systems, an emission-reducing technology.
  • The company is investing in gasification technologies.
  • Valero is meeting the important challenge of greenhouse-gas reduction through careful scientific, economic and technical analysis, and adoption of new technologies. View the company’s greenhouse-gas policy statement.
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Benicia refinery Recognized for Environmental Efforts
Valero has received considerable recognition for its environmental stewardship, including:
  • A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency award recognizing the Valero Port Arthur (Texas) Refinery for its wastewater-sludge recycling success as a participant in the agency’s National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) program
  • The 2007 Governor’s Environmental Excellence awards in Louisiana to the Valero St. Charles Refinery, near New Orleans, in two major categories
  • The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award for Outstanding Environmental Accomplishments to the Valero Memphis Refinery for three consecutive years – including recognition for hazardous-waste and air-quality management
  • The 2007 Alamo Area Council of Governments’ Environmental Stewardship Award in San Antonio for energy-efficient measures at corporate headquarters
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In Port Arthur, Texas, Valero is assisting the Community In-Power and Development Association Inc. (CIDA), a community development organization that has expanded its efforts to issues of environmental justice, improving neighborhoods located near refineries. Ensuring the health and safety of neighbors, employees, customers and the environment is an important part of Valero’s environmental justice mission.
Valero Environmental Awards & Honors