Anti-energy left opposing $10 billion petrochemical plant in South Texas

Fuel Fix:

The fate of a $10 billion chemicals and plastics plant proposed by Exxon Mobil and Saudi Arabia’s largest chemical company could be determined by a community school board north of Corpus Christi.

The Gregory-Portland Independent School District took up consideration of the project Tuesday evening — no decisions were made for now — about granting a tax abatement to the project that would save the plant owners more than $450 million over 10 years.

Exxon and the Saudi Basic Industries Corp., known as SABIC, recently selected their preferred site for the joint venture — 1,400 acres just beyond the boundaries of two cities, Portland and Gregory — despite opposition from residents who fear the plant is too close to homes and schools. The site is one mile from the local high school and junior high.

At least 40 protestors showed up to the school board meeting with air pollution masks, signs and red “Portland Citizens United” shirts. A smaller group of supporters wore green “United for Growth” shirts made by the local chamber of commerce and economic development group.
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The plant would produce around 11,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs.  It should also be noted that the anti-energy left has no alternative means of substituting the products derived from the petrochemical business.  Opponents are, in many cases, the unwitting useful idiots of OPEC and Russia.