There have been a few posts in this thread that point to existing
refineries and say "Would you want one of those smelly, dirty and
polluting things next door to you?".

My honest answer would be... Nope.

But, had we been building new refineries over the last 30 years it is
extremely likely that new technology, environmental safeguards and
better design would have vastly improved the process, like it has it
nearly every other industry, while the older, less efficient
installations could be phased out. Instead we cannot afford to let any
refinery close down so the these 30+ year old behemoths continue to chug
along with a greater risk of serious incident every year.

I would love nothing better than to shut off the flow of cash to the
Middle East, Venezuela, Canada, etc...  and switch to a clean, safe and
cost effective alternative form of energy. But since that new form has
yet to appear, should we not try upgrading our infrastructure to make
the best use of the energy supply we do have?

Comments are my own, not my employer's... Etc.

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