How you can help victims of Harvey, local refineries ready
Local refineries set to step in to be sure energy needs are met
Even as Harvey has downgraded to a Tropical Storm in Texas, various community segments in Delaware County – from disaster responders to refineries – are watching the situation, ready at the helm to respond, if and when help is needed.
Hurricane Harvey hit the coast of Texas Friday and at its height was a Category 4 storm with winds over 130 mph. At least one death had been reported in Rockport, Texas, as the storm made its way inland with winds of up to 73 mph through this afternoon.
Many continue to chart its path, as well as its aftermath with perilous flooding being anticipated.
“With the flood drag, it’s supposed to get worse over the next few days,” said Dave Skutnik, spokesman for the American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania chapter.
He said a few people from the region have been sent and others are waiting for the conditions to escalate.
“We are kind of on standby,” Skutnik said.
In Delaware County, he urged residents who want to help to donate either money or blood.
“We find that the quickest way to get help to the people
See Page 13 for “Harvey spins deeper inland; full scope of damage is unknown,” and Page 34 for “Hurricane Harvey closes key oil, gas operations.”
of Texas is a monetary donation,” Skutnik said.
He explained that can occur in one of three ways: by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767); by visiting redcross.org and donating to the Harvey effort there; or by texting “HARVEY” to 90999, which automatically sends $10 to Texas.
In addition, donations of blood would be greatly appreciated.
“There is always a need for blood,” Skutnik said. “All blood types are needed.”
He explained that what happens in a storm of this size is that many donations throughout the impacted region are cancelled, causing a shortage for regular operational purposes such as surgeries.
He said residents here can give blood locally by finding a donation center at redcross. org and then that blood will be delivered to the needed area.
The Red Cross isn’t the only entity prepared to assist.
Local refineries stand poised to fulfill any gaps created by Houston’s inability to produce refined product. Houston,Texas, is the country’s largest petroleum production center and Reuters reported that almost 9 percent, or 167,000 barrels of oil per day, had been shut down Thursday, ahead of the oncoming storm.
Cherice Corley, public affairs and communications director for Philadelphia Energy Solutions, said PES had sold gasoline and diesel destined for markets in the southeast and Florida as all marine activity has been halted in the Gulf of Mexico for several days.
“Should pipelines experience operational issues due to flooding, East Coast refineries will be even more critical to supply the Southeast during this time,” she said.
Both she and Monroe Energy officials in Trainer stressed the critical role the Delaware Valley refineries play in the United States’ stability.
“Independent East Coast refiners like Philadelphia Energy Solutions are critical to U.S. energy security as they are reliable suppliers of reasonably-priced fuels to U.S. consumers,” Corley said.
“In situations such as hurricanes or other events that impact fuel supply in the Gulf Coast, it becomes even more critical to have these independent East Coast refineries serve as suppliers for waterborne markets to the South in order to ensure that consumers are not negatively impacted by interruptions.”
Adam Gattuso, Government Affairs and Communications Leader for the Monroe Energy refinery, said the Trainer facility was at the ready to assist and company officials are closely watching the situation unfolding in Texas.
“Our folks look at things going on and we’ll be prepared,” he said, adding that’s what they did in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy when Monroe shipped gasoline and diesel to the New York State Port Authority for emergency vehicles after electricity in that region was affected and regular deliveries of petroleum products were interrupted.
“If we were to get a call, if there was an emergency, ... we would do our best to help out,” Gattuso said.
He also emphasized how this demonstrates the pivotal need for the Delaware River refineries.
“This would be a prime example of how important these assets are on the East Coast and how lucky we are to have them in Pennsylvania,” Gattuso said. “We definitely add to the national security of the country and the country depends on East Coast refiners in cases like this.”
Monroe’s workforce was on the lookout to assist wherever they could.
“Our members are always ready to work hard and safe,” said Jonas Dauber, president of United Steelworkers Union 10-234. “If we have to increase rates to make up for the losses at the Texas refineries, we are willing to do that.”
In addition, Dauber said the local was going to reach out to fellow USW refineries to see if any of their members need aid from the storm, whether food, supplies or money. Once that determination is made, a drive would be created to help the Texans with their greatest needs.