why do people complain about the cost of gas and force us to pay more to refine elsewere?

Question

isn't self sufficency the answer while we explore other sorces of energy ,or should we starve ourselves in the mean time.

due to protesters and regulation our refining capabilities have been castrated.

Answer 1

Frustrating isn't it? I honestly believe that many people do not understand that gasoline is a manufactured product. We may get a new refinery here in Ok. soon. It has been a long time since a new one has been built in the USA.
The people you are talking about are the same ones who want wind power but will support lawsuits to keep them off of a mountain because they think they are ugly.

Answer 2

The factors which determine the price we pay at the pumps are incredibly numerous. A book-sized response to your question would only scratch the surface.

China's rapidly modernizing infrastructure has much to do with the current price of gasoline. It was not so long ago that the U.S. had very few competitors in procuring crude from the world market. In fact, companies like Exxon/Mobil and Chevron were able to buy up "spot oil" - crude that would show up unexpectedly on the market - to alleviate the price spikes encouraged by speculators. Now, however, with China's nearly exponential increase in crude consumption, spot oil is a thing of the past.

Self-sufficiency is the key, and I do believe it is our goal. Domestic research into alternative fuel sources is expanding - perhaps not as expediently as we would like, but it is happening. While bio-diesel and ethanol may not be the answer, these efficient production of these fuels will help to diminish our reliance on imported oil until a satisfactory solution can be reached (hydrogen, I would imagine).

But the U.S. does hold strategic oil reserves. Our position here is simply one of self-preservation: we will first use what others have to offer, then, when others no longer have anything to offer at all, we will use our own.

Now, as for some of our oil being refined abroad...this is actually less expensive. Government makes the production of anything here in the U.S. very expensive, especially with a product like petroleum that may carry environmental and health implications. But that is only one variable to the equation.

Answer 3

why does anyone really complain about gas prices, we all go out and drive to the gas station to fill up, and leave the issue up to someone else to take care of. We complain all we want but we dont get up and change it, instead we find some one to blame, like the president. When really your money goes to the oil companies, but yeah, Bush seems like a good person to blame i guess.

Answer 4

The oil companies don't have a stellar record on responsible business, nor for the environment. Plus it's cheaper to do it somewhere else because the wage costs in the US are much higher. Could it be they shipped jobs off shore too?

*when will you put a link up showing your proof for the previous question? I'm waiting.

Answer 5

Gas prices where I live have dropped about 20cents a gal this past week(Central Texas)...I hope it keeps going down...I haven't complained about them yet. I don't HAVE to buy it!

Answer 6

Nobody forces you or anyone else to refine elsewhere.
Building refineries costs money and increases the supply, why would Oil Companies do that?

It would decrease profits.

Answer 7

Let the libs be first to do without gas and electricity!

Answer 8

Accidentally starred this question. I don't think it's interesting. Sorry.

Answer 9

Meh.

Answer 10

I don't know. It makes no sense at all.