The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Valero Refining Company settled violations involving improper management of hazardous waste and toxic chemicals at Valero’s crude oil refinery in Benicia, California. Violations included illegally disposing benzene into an unlined stormwater retention pond and not alerting the public about all of its toxic chemical releases. EPA discovered the violations during a May 2014 inspection to assess compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Valero agreed to pay a $157,800 penalty, modify its piping operations, and correct and resubmit its toxic chemical release reports.