Valero Energy — Ethics Grade D+

Valero Energy receives an overall ethics grade of D+ (37/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Energy. Market cap: Large Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 35
• privacy: 60
• consumer: 45
• environment: 20
• humanRights: 40

Documented incidents (3)

• Clean Air Act Violations (high, 2020) — The company faced fines for repeated emissions violations at its Port Arthur refinery, disproportionately affecting a low-income community of color.
• Anti-Climate Lobbying (medium, 2021) — InfluenceMap rated Valero as one of the most aggressive lobbyists against California's low-carbon fuel standards and electric vehicle policies.
• Refinery Explosion (high, 2019) — Multiple workers were injured during a preventable explosion at a Benicia refinery. Investigators cited poor maintenance and failure to follow safety protocols.

Documented good deeds

• Renewable Diesel Investment — Valero is now the world’s second-largest producer of renewable diesel through its Diamond Green Diesel venture.

Ethical alternatives

• Neste — Global leader in sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel with strict supply chain auditing.