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WOODS CROSS -- A Woods Cross refinery shut down since a November explosion is set to partially reopen next week. But residents in nearby neighborhoods are still voicing their hesitation about the decision.
The Silver Eagle Refinery will restart its crude oil processing unit on Tuesday.
Neighbors who are still dealing with damage to their homes from the Nov. 4 explosion aren't so happy about the opening. The homes are directly in Silver Eagle's blast zone. Many are still unlivable.
Alison Pickett recently moved back into her home. She and her family spent all of December and January in a hotel because her home was unsafe and needed lots of repairs.
She says even now it still needs work.
"No one's come and asked us how we're doing. No one's come by to see if things are getting taken care of or not getting taken care of. That hasn't happened at all," Pickett says.
Some of the houses are still condemned -- with missing siding, knocked out doors and pieces of caution tape still hanging on.
Neighbors say the refinery's insurance is slow to take care of the damage its business caused.
"It's disheartening. It's so frustrating. We feel like we're not getting the answers we deserve," says resident Trina Patterson.
Residents tried to get some answers at a meeting with Silver Eagle last week. Company executives told them after three months of a self-imposed suspension, they were ready to run safely.
"We're quite confident that nothing like this will happen again," says Mike Redd, the vice president of Silver Eagle Refinery.
Redd says they've worked with state and federal regulators, as well as a private inspection company. They've reviewed equipment, piping, systems, procedures, mechanics and training to ensure neighborhood and employee safety.
"We hope that, and are working hard to have everybody comfortable with us," Redd says. "We recognize that it could take years of safe operation before we've won back that trust."
Neighbors aren't sure that trust could ever be gained back.
"I want to move. I honestly do not feel safe here. I don't feel my family is safe here," Patterson says.
Pickett agrees. "Am I immediately concerned? No. Am I concerned down the road? Absolutely," she says.
The vice president says they're trying to get the homes repaired as quickly as possible. He says an insurance adjuster has been assigned to each house and is diligently working to get the job done.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
