According to a Times Picayune article dated 8/27/14 Exxon Mobil commissions an economic impact study from LSU's economist Loren Scott every three years. The latest study illustrate the effect Exxon Mobil has made on the Louisiana economy in 2013.
The self serving study reveals Exxon Mobil paid $144 million in taxes to the state and $84.4 million in sales and property taxes to East Baton Rouge Parish. Employed 5938 plant workers and contractors and made $46.3 million in payroll for the year. The study included all 4 plants in the Bator Rouge area and the Port Allen lubricants plant.
The study is incomplete because it fails to tell the people how much damage Exxon Mobil's operations have cost the state with the environmental damage from their drilling, production, pipe line and other operations over the years they have operated in the state.
Exxon Mobil seems to have the attitude we pay all those state taxes so why should we clean up our own mess? The people of Louisiana won't see Exxon Mobil or any other oil company in Louisiana step up to the plate, admit their guilt and start the process of taking responsibility for the damage they caused.
Louisiana companies who are smaller than Exxon Mobil who pay less taxes and keep our environment safe contribute more to the state and its people. Self serving studies such as this one is designed to influence the people of Louisiana to look the other way while the environmental damage continues.
This commentary written by John Lucia
