"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...
The mothballed refineries were closed due to the fact that it was too
expensive to upgrade them to meet new EPA regulations or to allow them to
be
competitive with newer refineries. Even if that was not the case, Harry's
suggestion that opening the mothballed refineries is a solution to our
current problems shows his inability to grasp complex problems. The
solution to this problem is not increasing capacity, but reducing
consumption via improved efficiency and alternative energy solutions. At
the very best, reopening these less efficient refinery is a very expensive
short term solution. It is very possible that the increase expenses
involved in opening these refineries would result in an increase in costs,
that would be passed onto consumers. Supply and demand works as a market
vehicle to allow the most efficient companies to expand market share. If
the oil companies thought they could meet the EPA regulations and make
money
long term, they will open these mothballed refiners on their own. The
companies greed will have them expand their capacity. In the long term
interest of the consumer, it makes much more sense to provide excess
capacity by a reduction in demand, or by building state of the art
efficient
and environmentally sound refineries.

Harry likes to use the mothballed refineries as the problem, because it
allows him to blame big business instead of facing the cruel hard facts of
using fossil fuel.

More refinery operating would reduce the "spot" increases around the country
due to local shortages caused by the reformulated gas requirements. Any
easing of EPA requirements to operate the the older refineries would result
in the liebrals screaming about Bush polluting.



"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
$3.28 per gallon here.


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Regular grade gasoline was $3.05 a gallon yesterday at several docks
in
Annapolis. Diesel was $2.61 to $2.65.

Thanks, Dubya.




Best news I've had all day! :?}

Seriously, these fuel prices are going to have a significant impact on
boat sales, if they haven't already.

Might be nice if the idiot in the White House started jawboning "Big
Oil"
about excess profits, or convincing them to get some mothballed
refineries
back on stream. Or something other than ****ing off oil-producing
countries.