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Valley lawmakers offer support for Rosedale refinery expansion

The Bakersfield Californian | Tuesday, Sep 16 2008 9:25 AM

Last Updated: Wednesday, Sep 17 2008 7:54 AM

Three Central Valley lawmakers have voiced support for Big West of California refinery expansion.

In an opinion letter submitted to The Californian Monday, Assembly members Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, and Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield, along with Mike Villines, R-Fresno, said increasing production at the Bakersfield refinery will help secure domestic fuel supplies and invigorate the local economy with an infusion of new jobs and taxes.

“Despite our differences, one thing we can agree on as Republicans and Democrats is that more production and refining of oil and gas in the Central Valley is key to increasing our domestic supply, lowering prices and keeping our economy moving forward by providing jobs,” they wrote.

The refinery’s expansion would build new equipment to boost gasoline and diesel production from a combined 1.7 million gallons a day to about 2.8 million gallons a day without increasing crude oil coming into the facility. Following the expansion, the refinery would produce 4 percent of the state’s gasoline demand, up from 2 percent, and 12 percent of diesel used in the state, up from the 9 percent.

Big West officials have said the $700 million project will create about 100 new jobs at the facility. They’ve stopped short of saying the added fuel will bring down prices at the pump locally.

The legislators’ support of the project comes about a month before the Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to approve the project.