Chevron Project is All-Around Bad Deal for Richmond

On July 16, I cast one of the dissenting votes in the Richmond City Council on motions to certify the environmental impact report (EIR) and issue a conditional use permit for Chevron's proposed expansion.  Recently, local newspapers ran a commentary by Vice Mayor John Marquez in which he defends his vote for the controversial Chevron project that was recently approved by the Council majority. He makes the assertion that this project "has restrictions and that the community derives benefits from it." This statement contains serious misrepresentations that necessitate a response.

No limit on the type of crude

Contrary to the statement that his vote for the project "limits the type of crude refined to light crude", nothing in the Chevron Conditional Use Permit mentions anything whatsoever about limiting to light crude. There is no mention at all about any restrictions on any parameters of oil quality entering the refining process. One piece of equipment (SDA) will have a slightly reduced capacity, but the equipment changes that were approved will enable Chevron to refine heavier crude than the current baseline. Refining heavier crude is known to create more pollutants and greenhouse gases. The potential increase in toxic pollution from refining heavier crude was not evaluated in the EIR. With a "we know what's best for you" attitude, the Council majority dismissed the concerns of hundreds of community members speaking at the Planning Commission and at the City Council meetings calling for protection of the public health through specific limitations (a crude cap) on the quality of crude oil Chevron can refine.

Community Benefit Agreement a "trade-off"

Another assertion is the notion that the Community Benefits Agreement, secretly negotiated with Chevron by the Council majority, is in the best interest of Richmond residents. On the contrary, it is clear that John Marquez, along with Nat Bates, Ludmyrna Lopez, Harpreet Sandhu and Maria Viramontes, took the money rather than agree to cap Chevron's crude. This was a "quid pro quo", a trade-off of the public health for a few paltry millions, to allow Chevron's new operations.

The Future

While the recent votes on this Chevron project reflect the deep-seated problems of a divided council, there is hope going forward! As mayor, I believe elected officials have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of our residents, which often means saying “no” to the demands of big corporations. Navigating the roadblocks put up by a city council majority takes away valuable time from bringing about the kind of economy in Richmond that respects the triple bottom line (social justice, environmental health, and economic equity). While the Council majority gets led into blind alleys by major corporations and fast-talking developers, some of us have a stronger vision about the kind of economy that will truly create a thriving Richmond. Some of us hold a vision of Richmond that supports and nurtures the green economy with green jobs for our youth. Some of us hold a vision of a Richmond that offers incentives to new businesses and promotes small businesses, while seeking responsible practices among all our businesses.

Some of us realize that the Chevron corporation, which made 18.7 billion (yes, billion) dollars in profit last year should be paying more to Richmond, which offers such a strategic location for its oil refining operations. That is why many of us are coming together to support Measure T, A Fair Share for Richmond  www.AFairShareForRichmond.org .  I urge all who care about a better Richmond to vote yes on Measure T and to get involved with promoting this great campaign that, when passed, will bring in millions to the City for much needed services and programs. Measure T will not cost individual taxpayers a penny and it will not affect any non-manufacturing businesses. Unlike the Community Benefits Agreement, Measure T funds will be generated on the people's terms and will be disbursed through an open public process.

A robust economy for Richmond demands representatives who, in marked distinction from the Chevron clique on the Council, have the poltical will to grow a healthy, vibrant, and fair economic future for our residents. This demands a new economic sensibility, one that will not sacrifice public process for corporate crumbs.

I take inspiration from the words of Ghanian novelist Ayi Kwei Armah: I knew thenceforth that I would not spend my life working for, fitting into, and promoting the world order the slavers made. Instead, I would spend my energies looking for ways of helping to create an entirely different world. (from The Eloquence of the Scribes)

As an observer in this local electoral season (I am not up for reelection for another two years), it is clear to me that attempts by City Council candidates to elevate themselves by presenting falsehoods to the public will prove to be futile efforts. 

True representatives of the people embrace public discourse, recognizing that they stand their tallest when they stand for the public. There is no place for secret deals in serving the public's interest. This election year is not a battle for "control" of the council. This is a struggle for control by the community of its own collective interest. I encourage the people of Richmond to take their destiny into their own hands and vote for a better Richmond City Council.  I have endorsed Tom Butt www.TomButt.com , Jovanka Beckles www.JovankaBeckles.org and Jeff Ritterman www.JeffRitterman.com because they are clear that the future of Richmond must not be left in the hands of big business.  They join me in holding big business accountable to the people...not the other way around, as witnessed by the actions of the current council majority.

With the people of Richmond as my compass, I see a better road ahead. I know that a better City Council is possible! With your help, we will make this a reality in November!
   

Gayle McLaughlin
Mayor, City of Richmond