School board to weigh effects of huge chemical plant

Thefate of a $10 billion chemicals andplastics plant proposed by Exxon Mobil and Saudi Arabia’ s largestchemical company could be determined by a community school board north of Corpus Christi.

TheGregory-Portland Independent School District last weekbegan consideration of the project about granting a tax abatement to the project that would save the plant owners more than $460 million over 20years.

The board could make a decision as soon as February.

ExxonMobiland Saudi Basic Industries Corp ., known as SA BI C, last summer proposed building a multi billiondollar petrochemical complex along the Gulf Coast, the first U.S. joint venture for twoof the world’s biggestenergy companies. Theyrecently selected their preferred site — 1,400 acres just beyondthe boundaries of twocities, Portland and Gregory— despite opposition from residents whofear the plant is too close to homes and schools.

Thesiteisa mile fromthe local high school andjunior high.

At least 40protesters showed up at the school board meeting with air pollutionmasks, signsandred “Portland Citizens United” shirts.

Asmallergroupof supporters wore green “UnitedforGrowth” shirts madebythelocal Chamber of Commerce and economic development group.

“They want more money ,” said project opponent, Adair Apple of Portland. “That’s all they care about. Do they care about kids? No.”

Exxon Mobil project executive Rob Tully countered that the project will be safe and bring jobs—up to 600 permanent positions and about 11,000 temporary construction positions.

“We operate these plants safely every single day,” Tully said. jordan.blum@chron.com twitter.com/jdblum23