Pols seek answers to refinery questions

MARCUS HOOK – A delegation of federal, state and local politicians met at the Marcus Hook Community Center Monday morning in an attempt to get some answers about the status of three local refineries.

But instead of getting answers from representatives of Sunoco and ConocoPhillips, legislators said they left the meeting feeling frustrated.

“It’s a very, very difficult time,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., while addressing reporters after the meeting.

Toomey said the purpose of the meeting was to make it clear to representatives of Sunoco and ConocoPhillips that all the stakeholders are ready to help.

U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7, of Upper Darby, said some companies have expressed interest in the refineries but he’s not sure how viable the interest is at this point. He described January as the critical period for when more information will be released.

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-1, of Philadelphia, said it’s important for the “top guys” at Sunoco and ConocoPhillips to be at a meeting with the delegation of politicians. He said the company representatives that attended the meeting today couldn’t answer the questions.

“We don’t have the right people in this room,” he said. “We need the right people.”

Brady’s comments were echoed by other elected officials and union officials.

Earlier this month, Sunoco announced the beginning of the Marcus Hook refinery shutdown effective Dec. 2. In September, executives had said they would close the plant by July if a new owner for the Delaware County and Philadelphia facilities wasn’t found.

Also that month, ConocoPhillips began the closure of the Trainer plant.