[2] Throughout the United States, Canada, and the U.K., the company owns and operates 15 refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day, two renewable diesel plants that produce approximately 1.2 billion gallons per year, and 12 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.6 billion gallons as its subsidiaries.

[3][4][5] According to a number of estimates, Valero has become a major producer of corn ethanol and renewable diesel, both low-carbon liquid transportation fuels.

[6][7] Valero was established on January 1, 1980, as a spinoff of Coastal States Gas Corporation's Subsidiary, LoVaca Gathering Company.

[9] At the same time, the remaining divisions, which consisted of natural gas operations, merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of PG&E.

By 2003, Valero completed its acquisition of El Paso Corp's refineries, pipeline system and terminal assets in Corpus Christi and South Texas.

[19][20] In 2011, Valero Energy Corporation entered into a joint venture with a subsidiary of Darling Ingredients Inc. to establish Diamond Green Diesel Holdings (DGD).

[24] That same year, the company started renewable diesel production at the DGD joint venture plant next to Valero’s St. Charles refinery in Louisiana.

Known as "Vanguard", with various hues of blue, white, and yellow, Valero explained that applying the new design to all its stores would take several months to complete.

[28] In January 2023, Valero and Darling Ingredients Inc. announced an investment decision on a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (“SAF”) project at the Diamond Green Diesel Port Arthur plant.

Valero operates this segment through Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), which has two plants in the Gulf Coast region of the United States.

[56][57] Proposition 23 aimed to delay the implementation of California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 until the state achieved an unemployment rate of 5.5% or lower for a full year.

The lawsuit was settled in October 2024 for $2.38 million, with the companies also agreeing to site cleanup and investment in equipment to reduce spills and dust.

[67] In 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Valero and its subsidiaries regarding alleged Clean Air Act violations related to fuel quality standards and compliance requirements at the company's refineries and an import facilities.

The related consent decree requires Valero to implement a company-wide Fuels Management System to help ensure its production complies with regulations.

[69] Valero Energy reported Total CO2e emissions (Direct + Indirect) for the twelve months ending 31 December 2020 at 27,500 Kt (-2,000 /-6.8% y-o-y).

[75][76][77] Through acquisitions in 2011, Valero entered the European market while strengthening its position in the United States, by reducing costs in supplying the Atlantic coast.

On August 1, 2011, Valero acquired the Pembroke Refinery from Chevron, as well as the marketing and logistics assets, for $730 million, excluding working capital, which was valued at approximately $1 billion.

Valero introduced its updated "Corner Store" retail concept on December 28, 2007, opening the company's first 5,500-square-foot (510 m2) prototype in western San Antonio.

On July 31, 2012, during the 2nd Quarter Earnings Conference Call, Valero announced intentions to separate the retail business from the remainder of the company.