To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Marathon Community Benefit Fund Allocation FY 2026/27
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the allocation of $770,000 from the Marathon Community Benefit Fund to provide expanded services and benefits to communities near the Marathon Martinez Refinery, as recommended by Supervisor Scales-Preston.
AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute contracts in a total amount not to exceed $770,000 with identified public and private organizations to carry out the services and benefit activities, as specified in Attachment A, for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, subject to approval by the County Administrator and approval as to form by County Counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No impact to the General Fund. 100% Marathon Community Benefit Fund.
BACKGROUND:
On May 3, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved a Land Use Permit (LUP) for the Martinez Renewable Fuels Project (County File #CDLP20-02046) to repurpose the Marathon Martinez Refinery for fuel production from renewable resources rather than from crude oil. A condition within the LUP’s Conditions of Approval, Condition of Approval #38, required that Contra Costa County and the applicant enter into a Community Benefits Agreement providing for certain payments to the County upon conditions being satisfied relating to the Martinez Renewable Fuels Project. The Marathon Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) was executed to satisfy that condition of the LUP.
Key CBA Payment Terms:
The CBA requires the Marathon Refinery to pay a total of $10,000,000 to the County over the course of approximately 10 years, according to milestones and time intervals set forth in the CBA. The first payment of $1,000,000 was due following the County's final approval of the LUP, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's final approval of the BAAQMD Air Permit...
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