Number 12

Grandfathered plants on refinery row. First of all, what kind of a city has "refinery row?" There's more than 16 refineries, hazardous waste and other petrochemical plants that directly abut neighborhoods in this part of town. All kinds of diseases are attributed to the psychotic cornucopia of pollutants (benzene and other cancer causing carcinogens, lead, cadmium and arsenic, and more) that spew from the Corpus refineries onto the city. In legal proceedings that make Erin Brokovich look like small claims court, Corpus residents complain, "I'm not supposed to hate Citgo, but I do, " Zamora testified. "They hurt my family and my property and they always thought we were dumb. They told us (emissions) never crossed the fence, the chain link fence. They didn't care."
















As if the awful presence of these refineries and plants weren't enough, they don't even have to meet modern emissions standards. According to Texas PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) the plants, built in the early part of last century, have been converted from "light industrial production to large polluting facilities" and hazardous waste management facilities. The facilities continue to expand and violate environmental regulations even in the face of sanctions.