Valero seeking bonds to expand refinery

Valero Energy Corp. is taking another step toward expanding its Norco refinery by seeking approval of $1 billion in Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds from the St. Charles Parish Council.

Company officials stressed that they have not committed to the project to expand the refinery’s capacity from 220,000 barrels of crude per day to 380,000 barrels, but the company is lining up permits and financing before making the decision.


“The permitting process is kind of lengthy, so it’s best to get the permits in place before taking it to the board for approval,” Valero spokesman Bill Day said Friday.

Day said the refinery expansion is in the company’s long-term plans, but it hasn’t decided when to move forward with it. The company applied for environmental permits for the project in October.

New Orleans Times-Picayune