House passes measure to boost refineries; Oil Exec questions need (KR)

[Up2Late]

(Do the words "Gift to the Oil Corporations" need to be said any louder?)

Posted on Fri, Oct. 07, 2005

House passes measure to boost refineries; oil exec questions need

By Kevin G. Hall

Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - Consumer preferences for higher-mileage vehicles may slow oil and gasoline demand in coming years and lessen the urgency to build significant numbers of new refineries in the United States, Shell Oil Co. President John Hofmeister said Friday.

Hofmeister told Knight Ridder Newspapers that efforts by President Bush and Congress to provide incentives to build new refineries are welcome, but a key assumption - that the demand for gasoline will continue to increase - may be flawed. Hofmeister said the growing consumer demand for cars and trucks that get better gas mileage may change the outlook for future gasoline use.

"I would submit the likelihood of consumption patterns changing is higher, rather than lower," Hofmeister said, suggesting the change would take some of the pressure off the need to build new refineries. Shell is the U.S. arm of Royal Dutch Shell, one of the world's largest private oil companies.

On Friday, Republican leaders in the House of Representatives twisted arms to narrowly pass legislation supported by President Bush to simplify the process of expanding refineries or constructing new ones. The measure is driven by concerns that the nation's refining capacity is insufficient.

Similar legislation will be debated soon in the Senate.

<http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/nation/12846779.htm>
(more at link above)

[Oerdin]

1. Think about this one a bit.

Of course Shell Oil doesn't want more refining capacity. The tightness in the market is why they get such large profit margins. Increased capacity is a good thing for consumers and restricting it isn't the best way to improve the enviroment.

The best way for us to decrease our consumption is to force through higher CAFE requirements and to make sure that trucks and SUVs have to conform to the same standards as cars. That's the only way we'll see big across the board increases in fuel economy.

[sandnsea]

2. now they say it, they don't want new refineries

Jan Schakowsky said there has only been one request to the EPA in over a decade. There aren't more refineries because they've expanded the ones they have and are using better technologies so they don't need more. But they don't have to meet air quality when they make repairs or upgrades anymmore, they can price gouge with no real penalty, they can confiscate military bases and federal land, all with subsidies from US. Wohoo!

[liveoaktx]

3. Video Clips from Dems Speaking up AGAINST This

on CanOFun

[Up2Late]

4. kick n/t

:kick: