2024 ESG Report FINAL - Report - Page 29
Environment
Biodiversity
We engage in diverse ecological projects with local, state and federal regulatory agencies, as well as with
neighbors and nonpro昀椀t partners. We work together with local and regional organizations that provide a variety
of environmental services ranging from the protection of endangered species and restoration of wetlands
to reforestation, rehabilitation of former industrial sites and promotion of environmental awareness through
educational training programs.
Biodiversity Impact Assessments
As part of our permitting processes, we comply with local, state and federal regulations related to potential
biodiversity impacts in the planning, approval and implementation phases of certain capital projects.
1. Pre-Construction/Planning Phase – A dedicated
team of environmental experts works closely with
our engineering and commercial departments to
perform environmental due diligence. As part of our
consideration of threats to biodiversity, we often
perform environmental 昀椀eld studies to verify and
delineate natural resources within proposed project
areas. For signi昀椀cant green昀椀eld projects where
alternative locations are considered, the most viable
locations are surveyed. This data further drives project
decisions on avoidance of sensitive features and
habitats and informs site selection.
The following natural and cultural resource
considerations are part of the evaluation process:
• Locations of surface waters and wetlands.
• Threatened and endangered species habitats.
• Previously recorded archaeological sites,
historic structures and areas of tribal interest or
signi昀椀cance.
• Existing developed areas versus undeveloped
green昀椀eld sites.
• Public lands, including parks, nature preserves and
wildlife conservation areas.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
昀氀oodplains.
• Surface water intakes.
Valero partnered with Ducks Unlimited for the Meraux
Terracing Project to enhance marshlands by planting
marsh grasses and trees, and sequestering CO2 near
the Valero Meraux Re昀椀nery in Louisiana.
2. Permit/Approval Phase – Valero undergoes
a robust permitting process and collaborates
with local, state and federal regulatory agencies.
Additionally, our corporate subject matter experts
review impact assessments from the preconstruction and planning phase.
For major capital projects, a presentation including
permitting information, impact avoidance plans,
identi昀椀cation of endangered species and other
biodiversity impacts, if applicable, is presented
at the executive management level. Major capital
projects must be approved by the Board before
advancing to the implementation phase.
3. Construction/Implementation Phase – For
site preparation and other related soil-disturbing
activities, we initiate stormwater management
controls to reduce impacts on lakes, rivers, streams
and other surface waters. These controls consist
of a variety of best management practices
integrated into our Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plans, which comply with federal, state and
local stormwater pollution control requirements,
including planning, temporary and permanent
sedimentation and erosion control measures,
stream- and wetland-crossing procedures,
inspections and general good housekeeping
practices.
During major construction and where warranted,
we also provide training programs on topics
such as threatened and endangered species
awareness and identi昀椀cation, stop-work protocols
and reporting. To protect ecosystems from
unintended releases of materials, we implement
comprehensive pollution prevention and incident
response programs.
Environmental, Social and Governance Report •
29
