Refinery is reborn under Delta Airline’s ownership

Employees returned to a refinery in Trainer, Delaware County Monday. The plant is reopening under new ownership, after nine dark months for this industrial town.

Workers started pulling into the parking lot across from the refinery around 7:30. They trickled in throughout the day. Representatives of the County Council passed out coffee and danish. Their jobs came with a new pair of work boots. After he picked up his paperwork Sean Bedwell got fitted for new boots in a cozy shoe store in a tractor trailer.”Excellent day, big relief,” said Bedwell. “Family’s all happy. Want to get back to work. Everybody’s all excited, and I’m looking forward to it.”

The most exciting part of his morning was driving up to the plant and seeing the new sign, Monroe Energy. Monroe, a subsidiary of Delta Airlines just finished purchasing the refinery from Conoco Phillips. The new hires all worked for ConocoPhillips until the energy company shuttered the plant last fall. Monroe finalized the deal late on Friday and started calling people Friday night to come to work. “It’s exhilarating, exciting. I’m happy,” laughed Vangie Crews, who has 23 years at the plant as an equipment operator.The shoe salesman expected to fit 150 workers for new boots on the first day, with more coming in the next few days.