Howard Dean Perpetual Minority Project

You know me. I complain about the issues of refinery capacity. I point out the blatant logic of more supply entering the pipeline with more consumption at the end of the pipeline and a reduction in capacity to take supply and getting it to the folks who demand it as a cause of higher prices

The President has been on this issue to.

So the Democrats; with everyone hurting at the fuel pump you think they'd be encouraging buisness to increase their supply system right?

Well... if the democrats were sane that would be the answer... but this was their answer.

By H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON

A new Republican-crafted energy bill, prompted by the hurricane devastation and high fuel prices, came under sharp attack Friday from Democrats who called it a sop to rich oil companies that would do little to curb gasoline or natural gas costs, while hurting the environment.

Now as we know with AL-Press reality is often optional. let us see some of the sterling democratic voices

It does nothing to curb oil use by requiring more fuel efficient cars or promoting alternative energy sources, said Rep. Edward Markey, D- Mass. He called it "a leave-no-oilman-behind bill."

Hmmm seems Rep. Markey wants to curb consumption. Well Isn't that different then lowering costs?

I think it is.

but back to reducing costs

The GOP legislation also would limit to six the different blends of gasoline and diesel fuel that refiners would be required to produce, reversing a trend of using so-called "boutique" fuels to satisfy clean air demands. And it would give the federal government greater say in siting a refinery and pipeline. It also calls on the president to designate military bases or other federal property where a refinery might be built.

so... REDUCING the number of fuel blends thus allowing the limited number of refineries to produce to a large audience

so to Democrats and sadly some republicans the basics of supply and demand don't seem to be the problem

"The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices," Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., said in a letter Thursday to colleagues.

but unusual for an Al-Press article the actual hard facts are at the end.

1981:325 refineries-almost 19 million barrels a day
today: half that number producing almost 17 million a day

less produced, less people producing =smaller supply
smaller supply=higher costs

sadly economics isn't something congress seems to know