We, the concerned citizens of Newport Township, the Ridgeview Area, and neighboring communities, are deeply concerned by the announcement of a gas to gasoline refinery to be constructed in Luzerne County. We are united in expressing our shared belief that this plant does not belong near a populated residential neighborhood, and that its construction raises serious health and safety concerns, none of which have been scientifically studied for a first-of-its-kind refinery in the United States. 

• According to air permit documents obtained by the Clean Air Council for Nacero's similarly proposed Texas facility, the Luzerne County refinery would be the third worst climate pollution emitter in the state, and would rank among the top emitters of other harmful pollutants. 

• Nacero, the Texas based corporation building the proposed plant, has no track record of building any kind of facility whatsoever. 

• Proposed facilities in Arizona and Texas are to be constructed in far more rural, nonresidential areas. 

• Nacero argues that the proposed project is a win for local residents, however the company's website puts the number of permanent jobs at around 300, far shorter than the 450 permanent jobs touted in press statements. 

• The company has not provided rock solid assurances that the jobs created will be primarily local or unionized. 

• Residents haven't been afforded the opportunity to voice their opinions or ask questions at public meetings.

• Nacero has been handed a $6.6 million dollar tax subsidy per year, for 25 years, totaling 167.5 million dollars from the state, at the expense of taxpayers. 

• Politicians supporting the plant are now seeking even more taxpayer money for infrastructure improvements necessary to facilitate its construction, depleting funds intended to lower the property tax burden on taxpayers or purchase municipal vehicles and equipment.

Residents living near this plant and the surrounding communities deserve the truth about the traffic, emissions, and other quality of life issues that will be coming with this plant, and assurances that every safety and health study possible will be performed to the satisfaction of residents. We believe in jobs and responsible development, but we don't need something that will ruin our land, air, and water, the way coal mining companies did years ago. The scars are still here and we are still paying for them.