CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The BP Cooper River chemical plant will celebrate 30 years of operations this year. In operation since 1978, the former Amoco plant produces purified terephthalic acid (PTA), the preferred raw material for polyester. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000724/NYM120LOGO) The facility, located on over 5,000 acres in the Wando/Cainhoy area, has two production units capable of producing 1.3 million tonnes of PTA per year as well as associated shipping, utility and waste treatment facilities. About 90 percent of Cooper River's output is used by South Carolina manufacturers. The majority of the PTA is used to produce polyethylene terephtalate (PET) which is used in the production of plastic bottles, electronics, clothing, home textiles, carpets and industrial fibers. The Cooper River site was developed with input from local inhabitants of the greater Charleston area and consideration of wildlife habitat and local history. The plant was laid out in a manner which preserved habitat and other unique features of the area. Today, the Cooper River Plant continues its partnership with the community and appreciation of the environment through a variety of activities. Employees volunteer their time with many community outreach programs. These include educational and environmental activities, as well as support of local charitable organizations. In 2008, the plant expanded its partnership with the community by assisting area teachers in educating South Carolina school children in how energy affects their daily lives by awarding A+ for Energy grants. The Cooper River plant has also received the Signature of Sustainability Award for wildlife certification for the past 20 years from Wildlife Habitat Council. A program and dinner will be held November 19th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Plant Recreation Area to celebrate the site's anniversary. The Cainhoy Tigers Steel Drum Band will provide the opening entertainment. Program highlights include recognition of 30-year service award recipients, Plant Achievement Award winner, and presentation of community scholarships. About BP BP is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, serving millions of customers every day in more than 100 countries across six continents. BP's business activities are in exploration and production, refining and marketing, and its low-carbon BP Alternative Energy division. Through these businesses, BP provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services, and petrochemical products. For more information, please visit http://www.bp.com/us. About A+ for Energy The A+ for Energy program awards $5,000 and $10,000 grants from BP America to preK-12 teachers to help them incorporate energy education into their classroom activities. Visit http://www.aplusforenergy.org/ for program information, eligible locations, and grant writing tips and tutorials. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000724/NYM120LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: BP America Inc. CONTACT: Darleen Pope, BP Cooper River Plant, +1-843-881-5338; or Scott Dean, Press Office, BP America Inc., +1-630-821-3212 Web Site: http://www.bp.com/us

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