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NORCO, LA (Jan. 21, 2021) – Today, Valero Energy presented a check for $1 million to Pontchartrain Conservancy to fund a multiyear plan for local swamp restoration. Over the past 10 years, Valero has partnered with Pontchartrain Conservancy to provide both monetary support and volunteers to attend tree plantings hosted by the nonprofit organization. Collaborative efforts thus far include 80,000 trees planted and approximately 1,146 tCO2e sequestered annually. In addition, they have worked to restore over 400 acres of habitat.

The $1 million donation towards the multi-year swamp restoration will be utilized to include restoration areas in the Labranche Wetlands of St. Charles Parish and surrounding areas, as well as St. Bernard Parish, where Valero currently has a facility. Other proposed areas include Caernarvon, Maurepas and Mandeville areas. Anticipated project activities include environmental monitoring, swamp restoration suitability analyses, restoration planting and the engagement of our local community especially among students in our school system

“Valero and Pontchartrain Conservancy aligned more than a decade ago primarily because of our similar values,” said Jerry Stumbo, VP and General Manager of Valero’s St. Charles Refinery. “At Valero, we are committed stewards of the environment.”

“Louisiana’s communities and wildlife rely on healthy coastal areas to continue to thrive and succeed,” said Kristi Trail, executive director of Pontchartrain Conservancy. “We are immensely grateful for organizations like Valero, who continue to partner with us as we work toward the goal of restoring and rebuilding our essential wetlands. Not only does this assist in preserving our communities in the short term, but it ensures that coastal habitats are preserved for generations to come.”

Funding will be used initially for soil and water sample monitoring to determine where swamp restoration and tree plantings have the best chances to thrive. Once the exact locations have been chosen, the grant will also be used to purchase thousands of native trees and supplies for planting including shovels, gloves, tree guards, etc., and for rental of specialized travel boats to planting sites.

Editor’s Note: Hi-resolution photos from the event are available for download here.

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About Valero: Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, “Valero”), is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. Valero is a Fortune 50 company based in San Antonio, Texas, and it operates 15 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day and 13 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.72 billion gallons per year. The petroleum refineries are located in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and the ethanol plants are located in the Mid-Continent region of the U.S. Valero also is a joint venture partner in Diamond Green Diesel, which operates a renewable diesel plant in Norco, Louisiana. Diamond Green Diesel is North America’s largest biomass-based diesel plant. Valero sells its products in the wholesale rack or bulk markets in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Latin America. Approximately 7,000 outlets carry Valero’s brand names. Please visit www.valero.com for more information

About Valero in the Community: Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, “Valero”), and the Valero Energy Foundation are committed to improving the quality of life in communities where Valero has major operations. Valero, its employees and the foundation collectively generate more than $58 million in charitable support through direct/in-kind donations, fundraising and volunteerism. Valero employees have donated more than 249,000 volunteer hours since 2016 for hundreds of projects in their communities. The foundation provides funding to a variety of nonprofit agencies for programs and services supporting education, basic human needs, health care and civic projects. Through the overwhelming support of sponsors, the foundation’s signature programs, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children, generated more than $16 million in net proceeds in 2021 for charities across the United States.

About Pontchartrain Conservancy: Pontchartrain Conservancy, formerly the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region. Our mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education and advocacy. Pontchartrain Conservancy consists of a board of directors representing Lake Pontchartrain Basin parishes and regulatory agencies. For more information or to get involved, visit www.scienceforourcoast.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @PontchartrainConservancy and on Twitter at @OurBasin.