Four days after calling for Senate hearings on the potential refinery closures, U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., has written a letter to Sunoco Inc.’s incoming CEO, Brian MacDonald, telling the company to ramp up its efforts to find a buyer for its Marcus Hook and Philadelphia facilities.
“As you transition into your new leadership role at Sunoco,” the senator wrote, “I would like to underscore my request that the company redouble its efforts to find a buyer for its refineries in Marcus Hook and Philadelphia.”
Casey said he is very concerned about Sunoco’s announcement that it did not receive one bid for the Delaware County plant as an operating refinery.
“Workers at the Marcus Hook refinery have already been put under tremendous stress by the uncertain future of this facility, and this announcement only serves to exacerbate this anxiety,” Casey wrote. “I have serious concerns about the impact shuttering this refinery will have on the community and on the economic recovery in the region.”
He cited Delaware County’s near 8 percent unemployment rate, impacting 21,000 residents and Philadelphia’s 10.6 percent unemployment figure, representing more than 68,000 city residents.
“I strongly urge you to put forth a good faith effort to ensure that both (the Philadelphia) facility and the facility in Marcus Hook, and the jobs associated with both sites, are maintained,” Casey wrote.
He also cited the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s report on the potential supply and price volatility created by the demise of these refineries.
The senator noted a concern on home heating oil, transportation fuels and national security, as well as the correlating dependence on foreign oil.
“This all comes at a time when some recent reports have shown improved margins on refined oil,” Casey wrote.
With an understanding of the confidentiality agreements in place, he recommended that Sunoco communicate with its workforce and the public as much as they can about prospective buyers.
“I have heard concerns that parameters and restrictions have been placed on the sale of these facilities,” Casey wrote. “Such boundaries will only serve to limit the future use of these facilities and hurt the region’s economy. I encourage you to do all that is within your power to ensure that there are no such impediments to their sale.”