Breaking: Limetree Closing Permanently Due to ‘Financial Constraints’

Limetree Bay Refinery’s parent company Limetree Bay Energy announced Monday it is “suspending its plans to restart the refinery indefinitely, due to severe financial constraints.”

It initially shut down temporarily pursuant to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency order in the wake of several polluting incidents, including a large accidental flare that sprayed oil over some 137 homes in May.

Limetree Bay’s announcement says the company has been trying to get funding to resume since the May 12 suspension of operations. Mass layoffs will not occur immediately but it reports it will have to “reduce the refinery’s workforce by approximately 271 employees effective September 19.”