I’ve had any number of conversations with state Rep. Bill Adolph over the years.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen him speechless.
Until yesterday.
Adolph, R-165, of Springfield, was holding a budget hearing in his role as majority chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Testifying was C. Alan Walker, state secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Adolph was quizzing Walker on an issue crucial to Delaware County, the fate of three local refineries, when Walker offered some stunning news.
The secretary confirmed he believed two of the three refineries can be saved.
His announcement was met with stunned silence in the room
Finally, Adolph was moved to speak.
“Could you repeat what you just said,” Adolph asked Walker, to an uproar in the room. "That's the best news I've heard in six months," Adolph added.
It was one of two positive developments on the refinery front yesterday.
While Walker was not offering any specifics about who was involved in talks to possibly acquire the refineries, New York billionaire John Catsimatidis told Bloomberg News that he was mulling making a bid for Sunoco’s South Philly refinery.
It was back in September that first Sunoco and then ConocoPhillips announced their intention to get out of the refining business and put the local refineries up for sale. Sunoco operates facilities in South Philly and Marcus Hook. ConocoPhillips has already shut down its refinery in Trainer. Sunoco has done likewise in the Hook. The South Philly facility is still operating.
You can read Kathleen Carey’s complete story here.
We seem to be in the season of miracles. If ever there was a need for one, it’s in the county’s lower end, where a way of life is disappearing in front of their eyes.
We’ll keep you posted.
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