The Sacramento Bee reports the Valero Refining Company in Benecia plans to have trains travel on the Union Pacific line that runs through downtown West Sacramento and Davis, along the same tracks that carry Capitol Corridor passenger trains between Sacramento and the Bay Area.
Many other refineries also are planning to rely more on rail shipments to align with the boom in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in areas such as North Dakota's Bakken oil fields.
Sacramento Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui is among those who have expressed concerns about the potential for accidents and spills.
