So big oil *really* makes a point

[MnFocus]

Want ethanol ? Fine "We" won't bring more refineries online ...and we'll still make more money ! I guess they really *do* have us by the b***'s

[billynjoanna]

They will always have us by the b***'s.

[MnFocus]

Originally Posted by theclencher

it is clear that's the way the industry wants it, and they are restricting capacity on purpose. They have no incentive to do otherwise; we've proven more than willing and able to pay $3-$4-more? for gas.

Eggzactly ! and it stinks too ! Guess that lil ol monopoly should be busted up - after all Ma Bell got it ...Microsoft is a target why not big oil ? Oh yeah ...No way to bust em up if we can't get there ...bastages .....*fuming*

[Matt Timion]

perhaps the only way to fix the monopoly situation is to let it get out of hand first. Seems to be the way things work here in America. There is no foresight, only hindsight.

[MnFocus]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

There is no foresight, only hindsight.

as the saying goes "If you are not the lead dog , the view never changes ."

[Bill in Houston]

Well, if building a refinery was such a great idea, wouldn't some group of bankers or wall street guys do it? Maybe, just MAYBE, it really ISN'T a great investment to build a refinery... Especially when it looks like the government is about to change the rules on you again.

Do refiners make a ton of money? Sure. But compare their profits vs revenue to just about anyone else. The margins aren't that great. If oil companies could buy Starbucks franchises, that would be a better investment than building refineries.

[savoF3]

Ethanol is a red herring.

The only difference between last year and this, is the elections.

Inhofe et al. won't be able to push through relaxing regulations.

The article does correctly address refining capacity rather than "building refineries." There won't be new refineries in any case as long as it is much cheaper and there are much lower environmental hurdles to clear to just expand existing plants.

[atomicradish]

****ing oil monopolies.

I think I'm going to go work on some car mods now just to spite them.

[repete86]

Good. Let the situation get worse, and maybe people will stop driving their SUVs and pickup trucks.

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by repete86

Good. Let the situation get worse, and maybe people will stop driving their SUVs and pickup trucks.

Yep, just like any addiction. It has to hurt them bad enough first.