Alon USA gives back with $10,000 donationBy THOMAS JENKINS
Staff Writer
In the aftermath of the Feb. 18 blast that rocked the Alon USA Big Spring Refinery, officials with the Israeli-owned oil company say the help they received from the community was something to behold.
Monday, Alon officials announced they will be giving something back.
 Members of the Howard County Volunteer Fire Department settle into their seats during the Alon USA sponsored appreciation luncheon at the Dorothy Garrett Coliseum Monday afternoon, many having come directly from fighting a tank battery fire at the Big Spring Refinery only minutes before. The HCVFD was one of several local emergency organizations that were honored during the luncheon. (HERALD photo/Thomas Jenkins)
Jeff Morris, president and CEO of Alon USA, announced during an appreciation luncheon at the Howard College Dorothy Garrett Coliseum the company will be making $10,000 donations to five local organizations that played key roles in the response to the explosion that shook the refinery to its core.
“To recognize your gift to us in your heartfelt way of making us meals, cookies and cakes — bringing us whatever you had — we want to give back to the community in recognition of these individuals and the ones who supported us,” said Morris. “So, today we are going to contribute to five significant entities that supported us during this event $10,000 each... We will contribute $10,000 to the Howard County Volunteer Fire Department and the city of Big Spring Fire Department. “Another entity that has really gone out of its way is Howard College. Most of the meals we eat at the refinery are supplied by the food services of Howard College. The day after the event we got with Dr. Cheryl Sparks and Terry McDaniel and told them we needed to feed these people so they can work, and we wanted to use your services to do that. They said fine. We asked how much was it going to cost, and they said we weren’t going to pay for it... We pay some, but we certainly don’t pay what it costs. So we are going to make a $10,000 contribution to Howard College. The other two groups that showed up and not only helped us, but helped others less fortunate than we are. We will be making $10,000 contributions to the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the local chapter of the Salvation Army.” An explosion ripped through the Big Spring Refinery at approximately 8:15 a.m. Feb. 18, sending a concussive blast through the surrounding communities. According to witness accounts, the cause of the February explosion was a propylene tank leak that caused a mist-like vapor to gather in the refinery, eventually making its way into a cat cracker heater and an alkaline unit, causing both to explode simultaneously.
A second fire that destroyed a tank battery in the plant’s asphalt division early Monday morning is still being investigated, according to Alon officials. Morris said he and the Alon USA upper-echelon are concerned with the recent accidents at the Big Spring Refinery — including Monday’s fire — but every effort is being made to set things straight. “David (Wiessman) and I are the stewards of your refinery today. And I can tell you I’m not very happy with the way we’ve been doing that recently,” said Morris. “But I can assure you that we’re going to bring this refinery back in the way it should, and it will be better and stronger for Big Spring. This refinery is Big Spring’s refinery, and over the last six weeks that’s been shown to me in many, many ways. “In the days following (Feb. 18), ladies and girls from town showed up with cakes and cookies to feed us. They would just show up. We’ve been feeding all of the men and women of the Alon personnel three meals a day at the refinery since Feb. 18. We have yet to pay for one meal. We’ve had businesses and individuals in this plant bring us checks. That’s compelling. How many organizations, businesses and communities do you know of that would do that?” Alon USA Executive Chairman David Wiessman also spoke during the luncheon, thanking the community for rallying behind the local refinery. “When I arrived at the refinery the day after the explosion, I met the Congressman (Randy Neugebauer), Jeff (Morris), Joe, David and others, I told them I didn’t fly 24 hours to speak about the explosion,” said Wiessman. “Thank God nobody was killed. We need to remember to secure the future of the refinery. A few days ago I was taking a walk through the refinery and meeting the employees. One of the employees came to me and shook my hand and told me, ‘Thank you David, for sticking with the refinery.’ I would like to thank you all for sticking with the refinery and ensuring the future of the refinery. I’d like to thank you all for being our friends. Thank you.”  Alon USA Executive Chairman David Wiessman thanks local emergency responders and the community for its help in rebuilding the Big Spring Refinery in the wake of the Feb. 18 explosion that rocked the facility. (HERALD photo/Thomas Jenkins)
Several state officials were on hand for the program as well, including State Rep. Joe Heflin, who spent a great deal of time Feb. 18 viewing the damage caused by the blast. “One thing we can all agree on about that day is God had His hands on Alon and Big Spring that day,” said Heflin. “No one was killed and only a few were injured. And there were people in there who were in the heat of battle in great danger. They were in a position of danger, and God blessed them, God blessed Alon and God blessed Big Spring. Today I truly want to thank all of the emergency personnel who responded. Volunteers and professionals from all over this region — I was amazed how far some people came — and I didn’t hear anyone saying, ‘Hey, do we have an interlocal agreement? Is it OK for us to be here?’ Everyone showed up and did the job. Thank you very much.” According to Congressman Randy Neugebauer, the events of Feb. 18 are living proof West Texas spirit is alive and well in Big Spring. “What a remarkable story. First, the miracle that we didn’t lose any lives in such a major event there, and then watching this community rally back from another challenging opportunity.” said Neugebauer. “And the commitment from Alon and the community that this plant will be back up and running fairly quickly has been there. Obviously, when we saw the response from all of these communities that came in and worked together, I think it speaks of the West Texas spirit and how it’s still alive and well, particularly in this community. And you see how it always rallies around a challenge.” Neugebauer said the recent rash of grass fires that has gripped Howard County has congress and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) looking at ways they can help. “Somebody was telling me there have been more than 200 different fires responded to in the region in the last few weeks,” said Neugebauer. “It’s very important that we have very well-equipped departments, and it’s particularly important to our volunteer departments, which are using fairly limited resources and volunteer manpower, and we want to make sure not only do they have good equipment, but that they have good safety equipment so when they are called to respond, they can do it in a safe and effective manner. The disasters have been declared, and we’ll have to see what the FEMA response to it will be. Funding is an issue, and because it’s important we replenish the supplies and things they are using so the next time they are called, they are able to respond.” State Sen. Kel Seliger also spoke during the luncheon, stressing the importance of the relationship between Big Spring and the refinery. “It’s always good to see people in the community work together. It’s always good to see a community be dedicated to its employers, and an employee that’s dedicated to its community” said Seliger. “Alon intends to rebuild and get back into operation and be better than it was before. It’s important for this community and this area economically.”
Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at
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