We have formal processes and monitoring systems in place to protect our people, communities and the environment, and we take action when environmental events are identified.
We have employees at each of our refineries, ethanol plants and renewable diesel plants dedicated to environmental excellence and risk mitigation. Formal risk assessments, including hazard identification, risk evaluation, analysis and mitigation, are implemented at every site. In addition, we provide training so employees are skilled and competent to perform duties in an environmentally responsible manner. Our compliance team monitors and communicates changing regulations and helps to verify our operations comply with legal requirements. We have processes in place to assess the implementation and effectiveness of operational controls and for tracking and evaluating environmental performance.
Our programs are designed to ensure documents are identified, managed and maintained, as appropriate. Valero’s progress on environmental management, including strategic planning, goals and objectives, is reviewed internally at least annually. We use both internal and third-party audits in our approach to environmental management. These audits and verifications are conducted to identify the adequacy and effectiveness of our environmental controls, regulatory compliance and excellence vision. Additionally, our Pembroke refinery is ISO 14001 certified.
We have a demonstrated track record of reducing emissions in our operations and producing low-carbon fuels today and for future generations.
As part of our strategy to be the safest, most reliable and best operator in the business, we will continue our efforts to:
For more information, see SASB report and the notes thereto beginning on page 76 of the 2024 ESG Report.
*Beginning in 2022, fresh water withdrawn includes volume that was withdrawn and sold. Values in prior years include only freshwater used in Valero's operations.
We have well-developed management structures that are central to our decision-making and risk management, including three programs that oversee our environmental management:
1. Commitment to Excellence Management System (CTEMS): a proprietary systematic approach to planning, executing, checking, and acting to improve everyday work activities at many of our refineries and plants. Within each of nine elements -- leadership accountability, protecting people and the environment, people and skills development, operations reliability and mechanical integrity, technical excellence and knowledge management, change management, business competitiveness, external stakeholder relationships we have identified multiple expectations to achieve our commitment to excellence.
2. Environmental Excellence and Risk Assessment (EERA): elevates the environmental audit and compliance functions to an environmental excellence vision. Its main goal is to assess the design and effectiveness of environmental performance regarding specific excellence objectives, and to facilitate continuous improvement across the company. EERA defines more than 100 expectations and involves a proprietary five-step process using due diligence on data and field assessments reviewed by a combination of external and internal subject matter experts.
3. Fuels Management System (FMS): provides operational safeguards, software, training, and protocols for uniformity across our refineries, terminals and import locations to reinforce our compliance with applicable fuels regulations. Built on the success of FMS, our Low Carbon Assurance Program (LCAP) was implemented to further delineate and strengthen our internal processes. LCAP defines key regulatory requirements, management expectations and internal regulatory assurances relating to transportation fuels regulated by low-carbon fuels programs.
Continuous improvement in energy conservation drives efficient performance, lowers operating expenses and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
We treat wastewater using advanced biological treatment systems comparable to, or even more complex than, those operated by most cities.
For Valero, being the most efficient and reliable operator in a highly competitive industry means being a better environmental performer.
We engage in diverse ecological projects with local, state and federal regulatory agencies, as well as with neighbors and nonprofit partners.
Water management is a critical component of our business.
Valero strives to operate as a good neighbor and aims to treat its fence line neighbors fairly, regardless of race, color, national origin, culture or income.
