Peter Hasson on September 5, 2019
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren responded to a question about struggling families dependent on oil jobs by suggesting they find other work.
CNN climate correspondent Bill Weir asked the Massachusetts senator about families whose jobs depend on the biggest oil refinery in North America, located in Port Arthur, Texas.
“It is in Port Arthur, but it’s owned by a Saudi Arabian company that made more profit, twice as much profit as Apple computers last year, although right next door I met a family in a $60,000 house that can’t afford to fix the mold from Harvey. Even though they understand the problems, they would tell you: please don’t shut them down because I will die of starvation before I die of pollution,” Weir told Warren during CNN’s seven-hour climate town hall on Wednesday.
“They’re worried about jobs, and so what do you tell the pipe fitters and cafeteria workers in Port Arthur, what will happen to them if these places go dark?” he continued.
“So, I would say two things to them. The first one is, that’s not the only job in Port Arthur over the next 20 years. I’ve seen Port Arthur. Port Arthur is going to need a lot of infrastructure re-building and strengthening. It’s going to need a lot of help right on the water,” Warren responded.
“Those are good jobs. Those are union jobs, those are skilled jobs. We have a lot of work to do and I hope the workers in Port Arthur will be a big part of that,” she continued.
Warren followed by blaming corruption in Washington for climate change. “These changes are no longer optional. They’re no longer there as a maybe yes, maybe no,” Warren added.
