Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

CCA and Valero Partner in Conservation
North America’s largest refiner offers three-year commitment
to youth angler outreach and education program

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Coastal Conservation Association and Valero Energy Corporation have teamed up to promote conservation ethics in young anglers. Through a dynamic youth program that will include an eye-catching newsletter, interactive web site, and conservation-oriented school lesson plans, Valero and CCA will work to capture the enthusiasm of children and encourage them to understand and protect the coastal landscape.

Valero has pledged a three-year commitment to sponsor CCA’s Rising Tide youth program.

“Valero’s generous support will allow CCA to devote more resources to our youth program than ever before, and that clearly bodes well for the future of our marine resources,” said Pat Murray, CCA vice president and director of conservation. “Through this partnership with Valero, we will be seeking to engage the imagination and hope of young people to create a powerful force for marine conservation.”

Valero is the largest refiner in North America and has traditionally focused its charitable giving on projects involving education and youth. It is only the second company ever to twice receive the United Way’s highest honor, the Spirit of America Award. Its employees donated a record-breaking 272,000 hours of time last year to volunteer for countless community projects, including mentoring students, organizing fundraisers, participating in clean-up events, volunteering at youth centers and much more.

“With Valero’s long history of community involvement, support of children and strong presence in coastal areas, it’s a nice tie,” Valero President Greg King said. “More than 40,000 CCA members live in the areas where we have a refinery. Valero is proud to help protect our coastal regions and take an active role in teaching youth about conservation and coastal responsibility.”

CCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of coastal marine resources. In operation for more than 30 years, CCA has 17 state chapters and more than 10,000 youth members among its more than 100,000 total membership. CCA is known as the national leader in marine conservation.

“Together, CCA and Valero are creating the conservationists of tomorrow through education, support and guidance,” Murray said. “But our youth members are not only the future; they are capable of doing amazing things today. Valero’s support will enable us to tap into that potential now and in the future.”

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About Valero Energy Corporation
Valero Energy Corporation is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio, with approximately 22,000 employees and 2006 revenues of more than $90 billion. The company owns and operates 18 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.3 million barrels per day, making it the largest refiner in North America. Valero is also one of the nation’s largest retail operators with more than 5,500 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under various brand names including Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Beacon. Please visit www.valero.com for more information.