August 1, 2019

350 Action – Houston on Exxon fire in Baytown, Texas

For Immediate Release

We demand that when candidates come to Houston they have the courage to take on the fossil fuel industry, advocate for our workers and our communities, and hold those responsible for these disasters accountable.”

Houston – As Democratic presidential candidates met in Detroit for the second round of debates, an explosion at a petrochemical ExxonMobil plant in Baytown, Texas yesterday injured dozens and sent surrounding communities into shelter-in-place. This was the second time in 2019 alone that this same Exxon plant has caught fire, filling the air with dangerous smoke and chemicals, and highlighting the need for a just transition away from fossil fuels that prioritizes workers and frontline communities.

In response, Lia Millar with 350 Action- Houston, issued the following statement:

“Disasters like the one at the Baytown facility happen regularly. These facilities don’t use union workers, meaning that these workers aren’t trained and federal safety guidelines are often disregarded. A just transition away from fossil fuels should include proper training that will benefit not only our planet, but also our workers. Incidents like these show us how Exxon and other fossil fuel corporations consistently put profits over the health and safety of people, especially of the majority black and brown folks who live near and work at these plants. We demand that when candidates come to Houston they have the courage to take on the fossil fuel industry, advocate for our workers and our communities, and hold those responsible for these disasters accountable.” 

Communities rallied and shared the vision of a Green New Deal ahead of the presidential debates in Detroit this week, with some candidates connecting climate impacts across issues of justice. Ahead of the Houston debates in six weeks, public demand for the DNC to host a climate debate continues to gain momentum. Just this week, 350 Action launched a Day One Pledge for candidates to sign and pledge to bold, transformative, climate action.

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This message has been authorized and paid for by 350 Action, 20 Jay St, Suite 732, Brooklyn, NY 11201, May Boeve, Executive Director. This message has not been expressly authorized, requested, or approved by any federal, state, or local candidate, candidate’s committee or their agents, or by any ballot issue committee.

350 Action is empowering voters across the country to make a direct impact in the most important climate races in the nation. From local elections that can determine the fate of proposed fossil fuel projects, to House races which could help wrestle control of Congress back from climate deniers and oil industry puppets, 350 Action is lifting up climate progressive candidates. Find out more about our work at www.350action.org