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2005-08-31 Home Front: Economy

Petroleum reserves tapped, EPA rules eased

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Posted by Steve 2005-08-31 14:26|| || Front Page|| [11133 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The relaxing of the EPA rules is already getting maximum covewrage on the Lefty blogs a s another indication that the President is hellbent on destroying the environment. No matter what he does he will be serverely criticised. Because of his war, money was diverted from New Orleans, even though the problem has been known about since the early '60s and nothing was done. Because of his war the National Guard is unable to provide enough people even thoug out of several million National Guardsmen only 118,000 are on active duty. Two people even called for his impeachment pecause "The National Guard is never supposed to leave the US. It is here to help in times of emergency." Buch of absolute idiots.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2005-08-31 15:25|| 2005-08-31 15:25|| Front Page Top

#2 The Bush administration will release oil from federal petroleum reserves to help refiners affected by Hurricane Katrina, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Wednesday.

What the hell for? I seem to recall reading somewhere that what we're actually lacking is refinery capacity, and if that's true, providing more raw crude isn't going to make one damn bit of difference. As for refiners "affected" by the hurricane, aren't those largely OUT OF COMMISSION? How does a non-operating refinery make product???

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-08-31 16:06|| 2005-08-31 16:06|| Front Page Top

#3 Boamb, the release of petroleum reserves will only replace that lost from Gulf of Mexico drilling rigs that are out of action. as soon as they are back on line the petroleum reserve release will end.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2005-08-31 16:14|| 2005-08-31 16:14|| Front Page Top

#4 Appearently what goes out of the reserve is a loan, which implies that the companies have to put it back in later. Its being released upon request from the refineries to the refineries.

Posted by Slereger Slitle6846 2005-08-31 16:17|| 2005-08-31 16:17|| Front Page Top

#5 He said his department was dealing with inquiries from three companies about getting oil from the reserve. On Monday, Citgo Petroleum Corp. asked for 250,000 to 500,000 barrels to ensure that its Lake Charles, La., refinery doesn't run out.

But... I thought Hugo Chavez said he was going to donate fuel to the relief effort. Now we find out they're borrowing oil from the SPR here?

Posted by Abdominal_Snowman 2005-08-31 18:14|| 2005-08-31 18:14|| Front Page Top

#6 This strikes me as exactly the sort of thing the SPR was designed for. Not to lower prices. What is happening is the limited number of refineries in the US cannot get crude to refine because of loss of Gulf of Mexico production and loss of ports through which to import crude, so the SPR will 'loan' these refineries crude to allow them to continue to supply gasoline & diesel, etc. If production & import capacity is restored, they will (in theory) replace the crude they 'borrowed'.
However, if the production/import shortfall continues too long (& it very well may), the SPR loans should be stopped so the supply can be made available for emergency military use.

I'm evacuated from New Orleans area indefinitely but just got power back here in Baton Rouge (had 'poached' on a drive-by wi-fi earlier today). Still waiting for the apartment to drop below 93 deg.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2005-08-31 18:37|| 2005-08-31 18:37|| Front Page Top

#7 What Glenmore said. And glad you are safe and vandalizing your neighbors wifi. :>

Posted by Shipman 2005-08-31 18:56|| 2005-08-31 18:56|| Front Page Top

#8 Double what Ship said, Glenmore. I actually work at the EPA office in Atlanta which covers the SE up to Mississippi (Louisiana is covered by our Dallas office). I don't even work in the Air division, but this makes sense to me, if the loan is stopped when the offshore rigs are back on line. And, on the EPA air front (granted, I'm not an expert on the rules, never have even worked air stuff), I'm ready to tell the greenies to stuff it. I would note to you all that these "higher-polluting" gasoline is already sold in the rural areas of those states, and my guess is the only cities that get the cleaner fuel blend are Jackson, MS and Birmingham, AL (maybe Montgomery, AL too). Most of the coastal areas meet standards b/c of wind conditions. I wouldn't even venture to guess any cities in Florida don't meet standards, except maybe inland cities (Orlando?). Also, note that the sulfur content relaxation is on diesel. Not many diesel powered cars in the metro areas (areas where cleaner fuel is required). I guess the trucking industry is thankful, but overall, this isn't really gonna make a huge impact on air quality in those States. Louisiana could be a different matter, but they've got BIGGER issues to worry about. I just discussed this today, and everyone at work (EPA) went into moonbat status...."Oh, Bush is using this as an excuse to relax air standards nationwide...oh no, dirty fuel....oh, gas won't go over $3/gallon here, blah, blah, blah." I tried to explain that it was only those 4 states and only for a set period of time, but even the sensible people lashed out at me. THEN, this afternoon, they tried to drive home & fill up and found gas at $3.29/gallon+ (was $2.69 just yesterday) and long lines at all the stations around Atlanta (one station even had gas at $5.89/gal in metro Atlanta today)! I'm laughing all the way to the bank, because a buddy of mine owns a building where a new gas station just went in and gave me a "heads up" last night that they expected 30 cents/gal jump today and another 40-50 cents/gal tomorrow. I should be able to ride this storm (gas prices) out in a week or two. Should make for interesting discussions tomorrow.

Posted by BA 2005-08-31 23:18|| 2005-08-31 23:18|| Front Page Top

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