Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon released the following statement in response to reports that PES executives put profits before workers and the environment.

“While federal investigations concerning the safety and environmental impact of the June explosion and fire at the PES refinery are ongoing, it really adds insult to injury that PES executives chose to line their pockets with millions of dollars, while hundreds of workers were laid off without health insurance or severance pay.

“These workers, their families, and our community deserve better — and the truth.”

“I will continue to fight for the rights of this workforce and to demand a thorough investigation. Our office is working with clean air organizations, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure that the investigations will not be impacted by the refinery’s closure. These investigations are critical for understanding the causes of the incident, the health and safety implications, and help to inform future policy.

“I strongly believe in transparency and accountability. Once these investigations are complete, parties found responsible must be held accountable and appropriate actions must be taken to remedy this situation and the impact this incident has had on the workers and our region.

“We are closely following the City’s work to address future use of the site and the various proposals to purchase the refinery.

“PES cannot simply get up and walk away from these workers and this community.”