Largest U.S. refinery, ExxonMobil at Baytown, ramps up security

The Associated Press

The largest refinery in the United States increased its security measures this holiday weekend based on a vague warning from the FBI.

The ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas, set on the Houston Ship Channel, said a weekly security bulletin released to local law enforcement agencies “expressed concern about the threat of terrorist attack within the (United States) during the July 4th weekend. Intelligence reporting indicates a wide range of possible infrastructure targets, including refineries. Law enforcement agencies were asked to remain vigilant.” The Baytown Sun received a copy of an internal ExxonMobil warning that said the company “elected to take more aggressive action in its security profile” after talking to the Department of Homeland Security.

Extra security means more vehicle searches, gate closures, more guards, restriction of non-employee visitors and an increased presence of Baytown police at entrances and around the perimeter, the company notice said. This week’s industry warnings were not based on any specific threats, FBI spokesman Bob Doguim said. Rather, they are part of continuous vigilance based on earlier warnings of a possible domestic terrorist strike before Election Day in November.