St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is proud to announce that St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann and the St. Bernard Parish Council have unanimously, officially approved Chalmette Refining’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) application at the local level.
Parish President Guy McInnis also expressed his support, stating the new project is exciting for St. Bernard Parish. He said they welcome the huge investment at Chalmette Refining and look forward to the hiring of over 100 new employees as a result of this project. He added that renewable energy is at the center of the U.S. energy transition, and they are thrilled to be included on the ground level in St. Bernard.
The proposed $550 million investment, to be made to PBF Energy’s existing Chalmette Refining facility, will serve as a top producer of biofuels and renewable diesel. The project involves retrofitting a refinery unit that has been idled since 2010.
The project will directly add 20 new, permanent jobs in St. Bernard with an estimated payroll of $1.4 million, and at least 92 indirect jobs and 600 jobs expected for construction. PBF Energy’s Chalmette Refinery, built in 1915, is the largest private business taxpayer and employer in the parish and employs more than 500 people currently.
