ExxonMobil to expand two Louisiana chemical and lubricants plants

By The Associated Press
on September 27, 2012 at 10:15 PM

ExxonMobil said Thursday that a $200 million project to expand two of its Louisiana chemical and lubricant plants will bring more than 400 construction and full-time jobs to the state over the next two years. Company officials say construction on the chemical and lubricants plants in Baton Rouge and Port Allen will begin at the end of the year. When construction is completed in 2014, 45 full-time jobs will be added to the facilities which currently employ 2,600.

The ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge is one of the largest in the country. Susan Poag, The Times-Picayune archive

The project is expected to make the company's Baton Rouge plant the world's largest producer of finished lubricants, which is used in motor oils, gear oils and greases as well as specialized lubricants for aviation, marine and industrial applications. The expanded 8.3-acre plant will replace an existing manufacturing facility in New Jersey.

ExxonMobil already operates more than 30 facilities in the state. Company officials say expansion of the Port Allen site will include a new state-of-the-art blending center and the two facilities will be integrated.

"Over the past three years, the corporation's capital expenditures in the state exceeded $930 million," said Paul Stratford, manager of the Baton Rouge chemical plant.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said the expansion demonstrates the state's continued commitment to retaining and growing Louisiana businesses.

"We're proud that ExxonMobil chose to expand right here in our state because of our world-class energy infrastructure, strong business climate and incomparable workforce," Jindal said in a statement.

Officials said the expansion has been in the works since 2009 and the state will provide a $1.8 million modernization tax credit payable over five years to the company. ExxonMobil is also expected to use the state's enterprise zone and industrial tax exemption incentive programs.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2012/09/exxonmobil_to_expand_two_louis.html

LDP “Pray for Our Air”

Air Prayer Litany

ð We Pray for all the people who must endure polluted air

ð We Pray that elected officials will make wise unencumbered decisions regarding the health of our air

ð We Pray for the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals  for wisdom and knowledge to take care of people suffering with asthma, bronchitis, lupus, cancer, dizziness and other ailments related to poison air .

ð We pray for God’s riches blessings on those who pray for our air.

ð We pray for the many workers who labor in chemical plants under dangerous and uncertain conditions

ð We pray for the decision makers that they will be compelled to do the right things regarding the health of our air.

ð We pray for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Quality and all regulatory agencies that they will fulfill their mission of protecting the air.

ð We pray for the lawyer, judges and clerks to reveal the true state of affairs regarding our air

ð We bind all companies, individuals, corporations and entities from destroying and spoiling the air God has given us.

ð We Pray that citizens around the world will stand up as protectors of our air without fear or reservations.

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