Protestors lined up in Portland on Jan. 7 in objection to a proposed Exxon steam cracking plant that could be built within two miles of three schools in the Gregory-Portland Independent School District. Courtesy photo
The Gregory-Portland school board will hear a presentation on possible tax abatements for a proposed steam cracking plant when it meets Jan. 17. The San Patricio County site, which is a mile and a half from Gregory-Portland High School, is one of four locations being considered by Exxon and its partner, Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corp. Residents against the plant plan to hold a rally at the school board meeting to continue voicing their opposition to what will be the largest plant of its kind in the world.
“We do not want this facility this close to our schools and our homes,” said Troy Snody at a Portland rally against the plant Jan. 7.
Snody heads the opposition group Portland Citizens United, which plans an advertising campaign aimed at educating the public about its concerns. More than 2,500 people signed a PCU online petition against the plant as of Jan. 7.
Although the San Patricio site is rumored to be Exxon’s top pick — the company already has an option on the property — the corporation is also considering a location in Victoria and two others in Louisiana. The plant would be just outside the Portland city limits on U.S. 181 at Wildcat Drive, the road to the high school.
Portland Citizens United members attended a recent San Patricio County commissioners meeting, using the time set aside for public comment to voice their opposition. The subject was not on the agenda.
The group asked the commissioners not to grant tax abatements to the company.
“We choose lives over money,” Snody said at the meeting.
Several members of the group recently traveled to Austin to deliver letters against the plant to their state senator, Judith Zaffirini. They also are planning to attend the State of San Patricio County Luncheon on Jan. 26 at NorthShore Country Club in Portland. County Judge Terry Simpson will be the guest speaker.
So far, a majority of commissioners seem to support the plant. Simpson and several commissioners told reporters they had to consider the greater economic good of the whole county when making the decision.
A steam cracker plant uses extreme heat to break raw natural gas into separate chemicals that are then used to produce propane, butane, gasoline and ethylene. One of the most important chemicals in American manufacturing, ethylene is used to make hundreds of products, including aspirin and football helmets. It is manufactured in greater amounts than any other chemical.
Construction of the plant would take five years and employ about 11,000 people, according to Exxon. It would create 600 permanent jobs averaging $90,000 a year after the plant becomes fully operational, sometime in 2021. Predicted economic gains during construction could be as much as $22 billion. The first six years of operation could see a $50 billion economic boost in the area.
The $10 billion plant would also generate millions of dollars in property taxes for the county and the school district, depending how much abatement — if any — might be granted. School district Superintendent Paul Clore said board members are not expected to vote on an abatement when it meets Jan. 17. The item is only for discussion at this time.
Exxon officials are expected to make a presentation to county commissioners sometime in February.
