SocraticGadfly: Big Oil: Biofuels latest reason to not build more refineries

May 24, 2007

Big Oil: Biofuels latest reason to not build more refineries

So, now ExxonMobil, et al, are even picking on President Bush.

They say his call for more biofuels puts too much uncertainty in the future for them to be keen about investing in new refineries. This coming after the last, Republican-led Congress, at the pushing of “Smokey Joe” Barton, cut them new breaks, both tax and regulatory, on building new refineries in the first place.

We’re already importing about 20 percent of our refined gasoline. When, besides dealing with Iraq and the Department of Justice, will the current, Democratic-controlled Congress, start hauling Big Oil execs up for sworn-in hearings on this latest round of excuse-making vs. price-gouging?

Or, let’s create a governmental strategic gasoline reserve to accompany the strategic petroleum reserve. That would require a federal refinery or two, and kneecap Big Oil right there.

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