Independent Refineries in Mid-West Would Solve Energy Distribution and Boost Economy

One solution that is pretty close to "right now ready" is fusion power. It generates it's own fuel to a certain extent too.

Howareya Utha?

Mike

Mike-1499840

One solution that is pretty close to "right now ready" is fusion power. It generates it's own fuel to a certain extent too.

Howareya Utha?

Doing well, Mike, you?

Actually, I accept the need for some transitional technologies, but we shouldn't replicate the Industrial Revolution's tendency to develop great big centralized sources of production. Plus, we should be working like crazy to develop energy efficiencies, maybe along the lines of the Ansari "X-Prize" or "COTS" demonstrations where NASA is providing incentive money to private space flight developers like Elon Musk.

doin' good...got an interesting issue going on...when I get it settled...innea few months...I'll shoot you a side note.

As to using COTS and incentives/prizes...yepper good way to go...but let industry lead the way...they will if there's a profit at the end....if there isn't, then that path won't work.

Mike-1499840

doin' good...got an interesting issue going on...when I get it settled...innea few months...I'll shoot you a side note.

Excellent, I look forward to it! Buon Fortuna!

Yes, I think "seed money" and incentives are a productive way to jump-start creativity, as long as it's directed primarily at start-ups rather than businesses whose primary goal is to protect their maximum profits. Support competition!

Mike-1499840

The market will solve this problem if we let it.

I'd have to argue that, mostly because of greed (which is something beyond a decent profit motive, in my perspective). Part of Corporate Capitalism - which I do not consider legitimate free enterprise - is the tendency to rig the game and refuse to innovate until every last penny is squoze out of the cash cow. It really seems to be a game of Monopoly.

The Free Market only works when it's a FREE market; I don't think that is practiced by multi-national corporations.

I agree to a certain extent....but there has to be a profit...a real profit, else the technology/energy source is a chimera.

Mike-1499840

...but there has to be a profit...a real profit, else the technology/energy source is a chimera.

Likewise agree. Much of my Liberal complaints are not about profit per se, but against excessive profits that demonstrate parasitism.

Man,

Currently under construction, about half completed is a 5 to 7 billion new refinery at Whiting, Indiana. This is not a re-build nor update. This all new, period. Just east of Chicago's east side city limit to indiana.

This will handle the tar sands oil from Canada. This will keep the midwest agricultural tractors in diesel fuel. This will power the largest group of railroad locomotives in the world. This will fuel the class 8's as we are the cross roads.

This will fuel the oversize SUV's running around at 80 mph here. Cell phone in one hand, coffee in second hand, cigarette in the other. Steerage by knees, maybe.

There was a new diesel refinery built nearby about 15 years ago to provide the de-sulfurized diesel fuel, so important to clean air. This was a stand alone refinery facility at northwest corner of property.

bestquest

No doubt such facilities are sorely needed. I don't object to developing oil and gas resources but it is a no win long term strategy. Strategically and economically our current usage has to change. It is a very limited resource in high demand and the price will continue to rise as the available quantity will diminish. It will take decades to ween ourselves off of fossil fuels. There is no time to waste.

Even with all of the current development activities supply has barely increased because we use so damn much of the stuff. I believe this past year was the first year since 1970 US oil production increased. We still import more than half of our 18 million barrel a day supply. Imagine the effect on the economy if the foreign sources of oil suddenly became less accessible.

Cut usage.

Ration? Likely a political fire storm. Suddenly, every one would become a free market adherent.

Limit engine cubic displacement of passenger car, SUV, crossover engine. Again, an uprising.

Limit engine cubic displacement for both gasoline and diesel pick up trucks.

Limit engine size for class 8 diesel engine to 11 liters.

All of the above. Would we benefit our society or harm? Would pump prices rise or stay steady?

Rationing may cause people to give up their 4 hour per day commuting here and move closer to their work place. Maybe public transportation can become the norm in the region and not just central city and the bordering towns.

My miniscule vehicle is advertised at 18 mpg city and it is NINE. Heck, a 450+ cubic engine 1957 mercury weighing 4,500 pounds got 8 mpg!!

My miniscule vehicle is advertised at 18 mpg city and it is NINE. Heck, a 450+ cubic engine 1957 mercury weighing 4,500 pounds got 8 mpg!!

As fuel mileage increases use of oil goes down but so does tax revenue to pay for roads and highways. In the future there will have to be significant changes to how construction and maintenance of roads and highways are funded. Either the fuel tax is increased or more roads and highways become toll.

The market will drive sales and use of personal vehicles, but government is supposed to plan ahead not be market driven. We need more alternatives for transportation infrastructure. The current model is unsustainable and makes us weak strategically and economically.

I'm good with toll roads. Why not? We built a whole lot of roads that way especially in the Northeast and the people using the roads are the ones paying for them.