The petrochemical industry is growing as the world’s population swells and as modern lifestyles demand more plastics — growth Bloomberg’s initiative aims to fight.A campaign launched by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg takes aim at the petrochemical industry, vowing to fight its expansions in Louisiana, Texas, and the Ohio River Valley.
Plastic makers and their advocates, however, said the movement fails to recognize the role that petrochemicals must play in reducing the world’s carbon footprint and in the transition away from fossil fuels.Exxon's Baytown facility finds new ways to break down plastic as consumers demand better recycling
The new plant, expected to be finished next year, would be the first of its kind in the United States and an answer to President JoeHuntsman said he wonders if this facility would be one that Bloomberg would decide to fight. Even as the chemical industry contributes to the energy transition, it has also drawn the ire of neighbors and activists who point to explosions andbetween East Texas and New Orleans — an area known as “cancer alley.” Robert Bullard, a distinguished professor at Texas Southern University known as the father of environmental justice, has signed on as a partner in Bloomberg’s campaign.