Refinery Question

Commentary has said it before.  Nobody is going to lecture me on what it is like living near a refinery and the pollution.  My home growing up is four blocks from the ExxonMobil refinery.  The refinery is the second largest refinery in the USA and seventh largest in the world. My Dad still lives in that home.

One of the main entrances to the refinery is a block away from a home where my grandparents used to live.  The home is no longer there but the property is owned by our family.

I can very well relate to this question last night asked by debate moderator Kristen Welker:

“Some people of color are much more likely to live near oil refineries and chemical plants in Texas. There are families who worry the plants near them are making them sick. Your administration has rolled back regulations on these kinds of facilities. Why should these families give you another four years in office?”

Here is part of what Donald Trump said:

 “They are making a lot of money, more money than they’ve ever made.”

Here is a part of what former Vice President Joe Biden said:

“Those people live on what they call ‘fence line’ — he doesn’t understand this. They live near chemical plants that, in fact, pollute — chemical plants and oil plants and refineries that pollute.”

And this:

“The fact is those frontline communities, does not matter what you’re paying them, it matters how you keep them safe.”

The question and responses hit very close to home for Commentary. 

Trump has no clue who these folks are.  Biden clearly does. 

State Sen. Carol Alvarado grew up in the Manchester neighborhood in Houston’s East End.  Manchester sits next to chemical plants.  Her Mom still lives in Manchester.  Sen. Alvarado can relate to Biden’s mention of his childhood and waking up to find oil residue on the family car windshield from the nearby refinery.  Manchester has experienced that problem.

Trump sounded like an idiot.  Biden sounded like me. Biden gets it, man does he get it. Starkly different takes for sure.

On the transitioning out of energy question.  The oil companies themselves are trying to grapple with this.  They know they can’t be doing what they are doing.  They are not dumb.  They see the writing on the wall.

The Conservative Republicans of Harris County PAC again have the 12 page insert on Trump in today’s Chron.  Hope the Chron is making some good dough off of it.

11 days until Election Day and COVID-19 is still not under control.

Game 3 of the World Series is still being played tonight at a neutral site because COVID-19 is still not under control and not turning the corner.

Stay safe this weekend.