Ever get the feeling either you or the rest of the world is insane?

[YankeyMCC]

This story raised that feeling in me. I didn't post this in LBN which I normally like to do with environmental stories because they're more likly to get attention because I just don't know how to respond to the questions I know will be asked.

What do you propose we do while we wait for an alternative to the products of these refineries?
What about the need for the people who will work there for economic opporutnity and just to provide for their families?

But it just seems insane to me to build more refineries, particularly in such a high risk area? It just seems to me to be such a clear example of the inadquacies of the market to provide for the common good. The growing demand for oil is seen as an "opportunity" to make profit instead of the problem - or at least challenge - it really is. The growing demand is a challenge to be met in a more sane matter not an opportunity to make more money for the people already making more money than many nations. I'm a fairly smart guy but not That smart so how can it be that I see this and our leaders don't? That's why I just get this sinking feeling that maybe I'm insane.

===

Oil industry expands along Gulf Coast

(snip)
Trees and utility poles are bowed. Blue tarps still cover wrecked homes. Business signs that flew away nearly a year ago still haven't been replaced.

Even with these humbling reminders of hurricanes Rita and Katrina — which last year temporarily shut down 28 percent of the nation's refining capacity and pushed pump prices well past $3 a gallon — the oil industry is busy expanding along the Gulf Coast.
(snip)

(snip)
Bill Haywood, Tesoro's vice president of refining operations, said while last year's storms are pulling resources from one end, projects in booming economies such as China and India are tugging from the other end. Reliance Industries Ltd. is building the world's largest refinery in India, where it can take advantage of lower costs, while planning to sell the fuel to the U.S. market.
(snip)

(snip)
"We are trying to deal with the supply-and-demand issue," said Monette, a 20-year refining veteran with a chemical engineering and MBA background. "Today we are dependent on crude oil. Do you want to be dependent on finished products as well."
(snip)


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060831/ap_on_bi_ge/hurricanes_refineries_2

[ixion]

1. "In an insane society, the sane man must appear insane."

-- Captain James T. Kirk,
Star Trek

:-)

You are not alone.

[YankeyMCC]

2. Thank you and thanks for the Kirk quote

Now there's a guy who's 'cowboy diploacy' at least Worked! :)

[StraightDope]

4. That's because Shatner...

Had better speech writers, and never blew a line.

[ixion]

5. lol... sure thing... it's one that's always stuck with me

I guess I never thought about the character being a cowboy diplomat, but you're right. :hi:

And true as well, at least it worked.

[Warpy]

3. The number of refineries in the US has declined by 50%

since the 90s, and that's one thing driving the cost of gas at the pump. They mothballed half the refineries in this country to get that price up.

Building new ones isn't the answer, but it will help GOP contributors make a packet. The answer is repairing the old ones that have been sitting idle for ten years. Building a mega refinery in India will do us no good at all, since shipping costs will eat up any savings from using labor paid in rupees rather than dollars.

The country needs more refining capacity. This just isn't the way to get it.

[johnny_yuma]

7. The number of refineries in the US has declined by 50%

Warpy,

I remember reading/hearing something like this a few years ago. Do you have any good source for this info?

Thanks

[Warpy]

10. Democrats have been trying to force the refineries to

be brought back online. The industry is using blackmail, trying to gut the EPA regulations on air and ground pollution to do it. The whole business has been at a standstill for years.

One reference to the struggle is Part D at http://www.house.gov/commerce_democrats/legviews/109lvhr1640-oilgas.shtml

A reference to the refineries mothballed over the last 30 years is at http://www.dailyreckoning.com/Featured/Justice0819.html

In the meantime, refinery profits have doubled within the last decade. All refineries still open are running at peak capacity and from time to time can't satisfy demand. That's often the case when you see prices at the pump spike for a week or two.

Refineries worldwide have been mothballed, by the way, so big oil isn't just picking on our country. They're picking on everybody.

[Sinti]

6. I believe they plan to increase drilling in the Gulf, and along the FLA

coast, as well. Dead zone be damned, we need more oil.

[NNadir]

8. I guess in Florida it will be a case of getting what you wished for. n/t

[htuttle]

9. Both

Yes, the world is insane at the moment, and it drove me insane years ago...

[skids]

11. "Get the feeling"? I'm immersed in it.

Every waking (and some not so waking) hour of every day for years and years, I have watched this world strip its self-destructive gears. Oh for the days of youth when at least most things were cozy.