Hurricane Ida knocked out power to over one million people and created devastation that will take months to address. But as soon as the storm passed, the fuel and petrochemical industries began stepping up with financial assistance, in-kind donations and in-person support to help affected communities recover and rebuild.
Fueling Recovery Efforts
AFPM members are once again showing their commitment to their communities, pledging over $8 million in donations to support those impacted by the hurricane.
Chevron has committed $3 million to support relief efforts, with the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and Team Rubicon each receiving $500,000 for services throughout the regions impacted by Ida. The additional $1.5 million will be donated to local organizations involved in disaster relief, and Chevron will also be matching employee and retiree donations to relief efforts.
Dow has committed $2 million to support both immediate and longer-term recovery initiatives, including support for employees. Dow is working with local, regional and national partners in order to ensure that these donations have the biggest possible impact – and will continue financial, in-kind and volunteer support as these areas continue to recover.
Marathon donated $1 million in relief funds, which will go to the St. John the Baptist Parish, Ascension Parish, St. James Parish, the American Red Cross of Louisiana and St. John United Way, among others. Marathon will also be matching up to $50,000 in employee donations to local organizations. “We are grateful for the significant contribution of $1,000,000 from Marathon, which is going directly to some of our hardest hit communities where the needs are most acute,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. BASF is similarly donating $300,000 to several local nonprofits working on relief and rebuilding efforts.
And Phillips 66 has contributed $1 million to the American Red Cross for states affected by Hurricane Ida and its remnants. “We cannot thank Phillips 66 enough for their generosity, which will enable us to provide shelter, relief supplies, food and comfort to families as they begin to rebuild their lives after this catastrophic storm,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.
Exxon is also supporting the American Red Cross with a $250,000 donation, as well as committing $185,000 in grants to the United Cajun Navy, Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, the Healthy Baton Rouge Initiative, The Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge, Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Baton Rouge General Hospital and Women’s Hospital Foundation. “ExxonMobil’s longtime commitment to the Baton Rouge region is evident once again in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida,” said Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. “From supplying gasoline and diesel from their fuels terminal to areas where it is most needed to partnering with the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative to support local residents, the company and its employees have showcased their dedication to our community.”
Westlake Chemical and CITGO both announced donations to the United Way, with Westlake’s $250,000 donation going to the Capital Area United Way’s Hurricane Ida Relief Fund in Baton Rouge while CITGO’s $50,000 went to the United Way of Southwest Louisiana, which serves the four parishes most impacted by the hurricane.
Valero has supported organizations working to meet basic needs, with $200,000 going to Convoy of Hope for hygiene kits and another $50,000 going to Second Harvest to provide meals to affected residents.
CHS also helped address hunger with a $25,000 donation for Feeding America’s efforts to support local food banks, as well as another $25,000 to the American Red Cross.
Showing Up for Communities in Need
The fuel and petrochemical industries also mobilized to help first responders and neighborhoods deal with the immediate aftermath of the hurricane.
Ergon scrambled its disaster relief team, sending them to Louisiana to support first responders and residents, while Valero’s Post Hurricane Assistance Team immediately jumped in to help employees and neighbors with cleanup and repairs. Valero also provided food for first responders and St. Charles Parish residents, many of whom were without power.
And TeamCITGO not only volunteered at the United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s supply drive, but also traveled with them to Houma to distribute supplies and supply 3,000 hot meals to community members.
Exxon, meanwhile, worked to help frontline workers during the fuel shortage that followed the hurricane. Exxon donated 11,000 gallons of gasoline to free Baton Rouge healthcare workers from the long lines at area gas stations, and is also donating 16,000 gallons of diesel to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s bus fleet.
Supporting Affected Employees
AFPM members likewise went above and beyond to support employees impacted by Hurricane Ida.
Dow sent trailers from Texas to provide temporary housing for Dow team members and families displaced by the hurricane, and is further supporting employees with interest-free loans and the Dow Employee Relief Fund.
BASF has set aside $200,000 to assist employees affected by the hurricane and offers team members assistance with storm clean-up and filing of insurance claims, temporary housing, interest-free loans, portable gas-powered generators and clean-up and repair products.
Westlake Chemical and CHS have similarly been supporting employees and their families through employee assistance programs.
