Toledo’s Refinery in Line for Major Capital Investment to Process Canadian Crude

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur today welcomed the announcement by BP that it has given the final go-ahead to develop a major new source of energy in the heartland of Canada.

An oil sands project in Alberta will mean a major capital investment in the BP refinery in Toledo, which will process the crude oil into transportation fuels such as gasoline.

"I am extremely pleased with the announcement that BP has given the green light for the Sunrise project in Alberta," said Congresswoman Kaptur.

"Continentally, the Alberta sands deposits hold vast potential to yield new reserves as large as two Gulfs of Mexico. This is likely to mean substantial jobs and economic development in our community for many years to come."

The first phase of BP’s Alberta project, on which construction will begin next month, will produce 60,000 barrels of oil per day, with a potential throughput of 400,000 barrels a day.

"The Toledo refinery has been selected to process this massive new source of petroleum into gasoline and other fuels. This will lock in our region’s position as a key player in the transportation fuels industry in North America."

Kaptur said she has been in close contact with both the company and the Canadian government in recent months as the project moved toward fruition. "Working with our Canadian neighbors is particularly rewarding as we share the same democratic values and respect for a transparent legal system."

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) was elected today by her colleagues from the region to the Steering and Policy Committee of the U.S. House Democratic caucus.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence from our members from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky to articulate a jobs and economic growth agenda in the highest reaches of the caucus,” Kaptur said. 

Kaptur was elected by a unanimous vote based on seniority. She had won re-election to a 15th term earlier this month by a margin of 18 percentage points over her Republican opponent. 

“The loud message from our heartland region is the imperative for Congress to keep its focus like a laser beam on jobs and growing our economy,” Kaptur said. 

On Thanksgiving Eve, Congresswoman Kaptur teamed up with officials from the local faith-based community, mental health services providers, and the juvenile justice system to announce a pair of federal awards to deal with the effects of homelessness among young people in the Toledo area.

Congresswoman Kaptur and the Rev. Steve Anthony, executive director of Toledo Area Ministries, announced a $450,000 award for a drop-in center for runaways and homeless youth as well as a $300,000 award for street outreach, including a van that will offer food and safety kits to youth living on the streets.  

“These awards, particularly coming at Thanksgiving, make an important statement about who we are as a community,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “We care about every single young person who is a part of our Lucas County community. They deserve a home and they deserve a place to feel wanted and needed.”