Councilmember Derek Green speaks at council session.

COUNCILMEMBER GREEN ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING THE CONFIRMED CLOSURE OF THE PHILADELPHIA ENERGY SOLUTIONS OIL REFINERY

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PHILADELPHIA, June 27, 2019Councilmember Derek S. Green (At-Large) issued the following statement after it was announced that Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) will shutter their operations at the oil refinery, the oldest and largest on the East Coast, and lay off most of its workers in the next few weeks after a recent fire that is still under investigation:

 

“While the administration continues to work with federal and state investigators to uncover answers owed to our residents about the cause of the explosion at the refinery last week, yesterday’s news that PES intends to end their operations there and lay off hundreds of unionized employees is a reminder that the City must be proactive in developing and implementing a citywide transition from fossil fuels that equitably balances the interests of residents, workers, and future generations.

 

“The City should not merely react to private decisions being made based on profit motive, but proactively affirm the public’s right to clean air and protected neighborhoods and for workers to be treated as essential. As a member of this Council and as Chair of the Gas Commission, I remain committed to transitioning our publicly owned Philadelphia Gas Works along that more responsible path and continuing to work with Mayor Kenney’s administration to shape a future without safety issues, stranded assets or abandoned workers.”

 

 

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