Viewpoint video: Markell takes note of successful effort to save refinery

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Refinery. State of Delaware photo.
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In his weekly message, Gov. Jack Markell took note of progress made in the six years since the Delaware City Refinery closed its doors and seemed destined for demolition.

This came on top of the closing of the Chrysler and GM plants.

“Today, the Delaware city up and running more efficiently, cleanly, and safely than ever, and we should pause and take note of what that says about the spirit and fortitude of our people,” said Markell. “Our work is far from done, but six years after the refinery shuttered, it represents the ability of our people to keep Delaware moving forward.”

State officials ended up with talking with start-up company PBF Energy, which reopened the refinery after a major overhaul that made it more efficient. The state also came up with a financial package as part of the purchase and reopening of the site.

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The refinery had been losing upwards of $1 million a day prior to closing under former owner Valero.

PBF now has four refineries in Ohio, New Jersey and Louisiana, in addition to its original refinery in Delaware. Next year, the company hopes to add its fifth refinery in southern California.

The Delaware refinery accounts for about 700 jobs spread between employees and contractors, with spin off effects that affect hundreds of other jobs.

The opening of the refinery has not been universally praised, with some protesting its operating permits in noisy hearings and citing problems with emissions and water discharges.

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