Philadelphia Energy Solutions and Hilco Redevelopment Partners have a lot to do before the sale can close. The site won’t be a refinery, but no one is sure what comes next. As one cautious neighbor said, “I’ve seen in the past how it is, you know, you just switch from one company to the next company and you have the same problem.”

Most of Bilal Motley’s former co-workers have either rallied to keep the refinery open or kept their thoughts private. Motley, however, wants to tell his story.

Many former employees of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery had to switch careers. A considerable number remain unemployed.