In all the discussions of the pros and cons of having ExxonMobil and SABIC use our town as a site for the world’s largest ethylene cracker plant, we have heard little discussion about the destruction of our quality of life: cultural, intellectual, and climate conditions. The proposed construction by ExxonMobil and SABIC would attack all three elements while benefiting less than one-half of one percent of Portland and Gregory residents with the promised 700 permanent jobs with $90,000 salaries. That assumes that even half of those hired would be current residents of either city. We have seen nothing to suggest that ExxonMobil and SABIC are committed to hiring local or even area residents.
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