In Reply to: Would you rather breath or have U.S. refined gasoline? posted by Norm on June 6, 2007 at 07:45:03:
So not even the "energy security" argument works in favour of more indigenous refining capacity. If you're importing the crude oil, you might as well import the gasoline - the two commodities are about equally fungible. Global refining capacity has generally kept pace with requirements. There is some speculation that investors are getting nervous about buying into new refining capacity just as Peak Oil arrives and oil supplies are about to start declining. Arguments like piece-it pete's are just more anti-environmental kvetching from the business-as-usual crowd.
Where the environmentalists may have done humanity an enormous disservice, though, is with their obstruction of nuclear power development. That is one piece of the energy puzzle that desperately needs to be expanded. Obstruction of nuclear power with its zero deaths per year from power generation is going to fling the world headlong into the arms of coal, with its millions of deaths per year from normal operation. All because innumerate greens can't get past Helen Caldicott's ooga-booga and examine the facts.
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Follow Ups
- The USA can already refine more oil than it can produce - GliderGuider 06/6/0708:02:47 06/6/07 (33)
- Surely you jest. - HiFi Guy 09:10:12 06/6/07 (1)
- : Surely you don't know what you're talking about. Oh wait, you never do ..nt - late 09:12:03 06/6/07 (0)
- Hey now. - piece-it pete 08:37:50 06/6/07 (1)
- I don't think refining capacity is the choke point. - GliderGuider 08:47:11 06/6/07 (0)
- If we switch to nuclear energy, can we.... - The Real Dick Hertz 08:31:35 06/6/07 (4)
- Might be a good alternate use for our troops in Iraq..... - oscar 08:38:16 06/6/07 (3)
- Manitoba??? You're welcome to keep it. - GliderGuider 08:45:38 06/6/07 (2)
- I guess that settles it then. - The Real Dick Hertz 09:31:42 06/6/07 (1)
- Oh no, Maitoba's a lovely place. - GliderGuider 09:44:30 06/6/07 (0)
- RE: The USA can already refine more oil than it can produce - Draz 08:14:54 06/6/07 (20)
- Nuclear power will not lower the price of gasoline - GliderGuider 08:44:02 06/6/07 (17)
- Very soon now, GG, we will have smart governments. - Jim Pearce 09:14:03 06/6/07 (14)
- RE: Very soon now, GG, we will have smart governments. - HiFi Guy 09:26:18 06/6/07 (0)
- RE: Very soon now,... - piece-it pete 09:17:16 06/6/07 (0)
- Don't bogart that joint, Jim! - GliderGuider 09:16:39 06/6/07 (1)
- In all seriousness though GG, there are some city, state and provincial initiatives... - Jim Pearce 09:28:27 06/6/07 (0)
- Except 200 million Americans without access to mass transit will be SOL. nt - oscar 09:16:25 06/6/07 (9)
- A few billion global citizens may be SOL. - GliderGuider 09:22:27 06/6/07 (8)
- Factor in the disproportionate amount of automobile use in the USA. - oscar 10:47:24 06/6/07 (6)
- Culture shock won't kill you, food shortages will. - GliderGuider 11:36:28 06/6/07 (5)
- I light a cigarette post-peak, GG. - Jim Pearce 11:49:50 06/6/07 (0)
- I expect Resource wars will accomplish a lot of the "necessary culling". - oscar 11:43:38 06/6/07 (3)
- They may not be enough. - GliderGuider 12:26:07 06/6/07 (0)
- The serious resource wars will be fought over water oscar. - Jim Pearce 12:03:06 06/6/07 (0)
- A good argument for - piece-it pete 12:01:37 06/6/07 (0)
- Agreed. - piece-it pete 10:25:51 06/6/07 (0)
- Yikes. - piece-it pete 09:06:11 06/6/07 (1)
- One ray of hope is Kerala in India. - GliderGuider 09:41:04 06/6/07 (0)
- if we don't use the gas, China will... so gas prices will continue to rise. - oscar 08:29:58 06/6/07 (1)
- Jevons Paradox - GliderGuider 09:01:01 06/6/07 (0)
- Memories of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island et al are sobering. - oscar 08:11:35 06/6/07 (2)
- RE: Memories of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island et al are sobering. - Kelly McDonald 08:40:10 06/6/07 (1)
- RE: Memories of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island et al are sobering. - Dan Banquer 09:18:33 06/6/07 (0)