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New group formed to oppose refinery
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FarkSIOUX FALLS -- A second group formed to oppose an oil refinery near Elk Point plans to focus on the economic and environmental aspects of the project.
The first mailing by Citizens Opposed to Oil Pollution compares the economic situation of Union County with counties that already have oil refineries, and finds, "We are doing better."
"There is really no indication that you're going to have any significant economic gain from it, and it certainly may detract from it," said Jason Quam, who leads the group and lives next to the possible refinery site.
Hyperion Resources of Dallas is proposing the 400,000 barrel-per-day refinery. It would be located several miles north of Elk Point and employ about 1,800 people.
Quam said he expects little or no conflict with the existing opposition group, Save Union County, and the membership might overlap somewhat.
Quam said his sense is that the other group is focused on "preserving agriculture."
Ed Cable of Save Union County said, "We tend to be concerned about all aspects of the project."
"Hopefully, we can work in concert with them," Cable said.
The mailing from Citizens Opposed to Oil Pollution questions the project's impact on the area's standard of living, the environment, crime and poverty.
Bruce Odson, director of the Elk Point Economic Development Corporation, said it might be unfair to make some comparisons. Comparing Union County to refinery counties, for example, might lead to a questionable conclusion that refineries cause poverty, when in fact other factors are to blame, he said.
"Traditionally, a lot of the refineries have been in the South, and I think most people understand the environment and realities of the South. And second, we have a unique situation here," with relatively high income in Union County, Odson said.
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