Oil, Chemical Firms Buying Neighborhoods

Oil and chemical companies are buying entire adjacent neighborhoods to demolish them to prevent future complaints and lawsuits.

1 minute read

January 21, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Up and down the Texas Gulf coast, in neighborhoods that once teemed with plant workers, oil and chemical companies are methodically buying up property, creating distance between their facilities and the nearest residences, in some cases repurchasing houses they sold to employees decades ago.

Industry officials say they are establishing buffer zones between themselves and their communities to improve quality of life. Some residents contend they are being pushed out so the plants can expand."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: In the buffer zone

Thursday, January 20, 2005 in The Houston Chronicle

Land Use United States

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