Could there be a refinery coming near you? Would you welcome one?

Oil Refineries

An oil refinery is a chemical factory that takes in crude oil and splits it up into a lot of useful products using a process called fractional distillation and removes impurities. The fractions vary in thickness or heaviness. The more solid ones are used for plastics and foams. The lighter ones are used as petroleum fossil fuels for automobiles and airplanes. Grease and bitumen are also produced. The chemicals can be made into plastic, man-made fibres like nylon and polyester, washing powders and farming chemicals.

Many chemicals are released into the atmosphere by refineries, so they are not good places to live near, and bad for the environment. They can also be dangerous if there is an explosion, whether accidental or due to sabotage or terrorism. The recent fatal explosion at a Texas oil refinery was the third in two years. On the other hand, they do bring jobs. Some refineries have chemical plants next to them. Refineries are therefore usually sited well way from towns, and there is opposition to new ones. No new ones have been built in the USA for decades, though existing ones have been expanded.

Oil is generally brought to refineries by tanker or pipeline, so they are frequently located on the coast with their own port. The longer the pipeline, the higher the cost. Oil products also need to be stockpiled. Hurricanes and tornadoes can be a danger, though.

It is not immediately clear which military bases President Bush considers to be suitable for oil refineries

President Bush has given his second speech on energy in a week. He proposed converting closed military bases into sites for new oil refineries. This would allow the USA to refine more of its own oil. He also wants Congress to insure the nuclear industry against the risk of regulatory delays for new plants. He wants federal regulators to have the final say over where liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals can be sited.

President Bush is concentrating on energy because of concern over the rise of fuel prices in recent weeks. His proposals are unlikely to make any difference to prices in the short term, however. The president has also called for a tax credit for gas-electric hybrid automobiles and for use of clean diesel.

Please see the following message for the remaining stories.