South Dakota vote is step toward first new U.S. oil refinery in decades 7

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1. 

   Delay And Deny Posted 7:23 am
   04 Jun 2008

   10000% of demand
   
   Combined with crude from the Bakken Formation, this refinery could probably handle 1000% of domestic needs.
   We could shut down the US coastal refineries entirely and save on transportation, old technologies, etc.
   We could turn Alaska back to the polar bears.
   Imagine taking I-95 out of the Holland Tunnel to New Brunswick and seeing marshland and meadow...

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2. 

   applej Posted 12:13 pm
   04 Jun 2008

   no such thing as a "green" refineryI grew up 5 miles from the proposed site of the Hyperion Refinery in Union County South Dakota. My family is devastated by the idea of an oil refinery popping up in one of the nation's most beautiful settings. As one of the least populated counties in South Dakota, much of this region remains in its natural form. I grew up playing in freshwater creeks so clean I could drink from them! My father, a nature enthusiast, used to take us on nature walks to point out wildflower and tree species unique to our corner of the world. The site of this furure refinery is no less beautiful than any of the increasingly limited untouched regions in our nation.
   The people of Union County have been warned by Hyperion of the inevitable future widespread pollution, high risk of birth defeats, and damage to the county roads that will accompany the refinery. It is doubtful that there will be anything "green" about Hyperion- unless you can count the billions of dollars driving the creation of the plant.

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3. 

   Delay And Deny Posted 12:53 pm
   04 Jun 2008

   Vee Have Vays To Make You Talk...I grew up 5 miles from the proposed site of the Hyperion Refinery in Union County South Dakota.
   Really?  That's interesting...it's funny that you've never posted before on Grist...or at least this is your first comment.   How did you come to read this particular article and just happen to have lived right near the subject matter?
   What town and school did you grow up in and attend?
   Quick...no Googling before answering....

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4. 

   KevinMichael Posted 3:14 pm
   04 Jun 2008

   Finally! Keep it coming.Does anyone here care that we have gone 30-years without building a new refinery? It is impossible to continue growing as nation without a proportional increase in our resources. Just because YOU don't drive, doesn't mean your neighbor, grandmother, or I shouldn't have access to motor fuels. Artificially increasing the price of diesel/gasoline by obstructing the construction of new refineries is tantamount to thuggery and intimidation.  
   Refining capacity is a major factor in the retail price of gasoline. Intentionally suffocating this industry is criminal.
   You should also consider that if this gasoline is not produced in South Dakota, it will be produced elsewhere. Do you think granola heads will be suing refiners in Venezuela, Mexico, or any other emerging economy? No. Keep your mouth shut as the net pollution/embodied energy & resources consumption will be as low as economically possible.

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5. 

   Tasermons Partner Posted 3:51 pm
   04 Jun 2008

   1000%?....Combined with crude from the Bakken Formation, this refinery could probably handle 1000% of domestic needs.
   Where's your math for this?
   You realize that's mean the Bakken Formation would haveta be many times larger than the Saudi reserves, right?
   And that 1000% our domestic needs would easily be enough for all transportation and energy on the planet, right?
   ...so...ya think this one refinery will be enough to provide energy and gas for the entire planet, and then some?
   Methinks ya need to work on your math skills.

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6. 

   Tasermons Partner Posted 3:55 pm
   04 Jun 2008

   New vs. expansion...Does anyone here care that we have gone 30-years without building a new refinery? It is impossible to continue growing as nation without a proportional increase in our resources
   This is often cited by proponents of fossil fuels.
   The problem is, it's very misleading.
   By sayin' that we haven't built any new refineries, they give the impression that our refining capacity hasn't increased in 30 years.
   But that's wrong.  There may not have been any new refineries, but plenty of the old ones have expanded and several have more than doubled in size in the past few years.
   Refining capacity, overall, has increased greatly.

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7. 

   applej Posted 1:31 pm
   06 Jun 2008

   Excellent question!I came across the article (miraculously) after becoming heated by the passing of the SD refinery vote! I'm a regular visitor to the Grist site, though I have never before been compelled to write in. The issue of Hyperion has been a hot topic in my hometown for over a year. I graduated from Akron-Westfield Community HS is Akron, IA-- right on the border of SD and IA. My parents farm in rural Union county, between Spink SD, Elk Point SD, and Akron IA :) I definitely understand that there are sides to the oil issue, and I sincerely hope that it turns out well for the people of Union County, my family included. I also recognize that I am biased as I will have to breathe in gross oily air each time I head home for the holidays! Thank you for your interest in Hyperion and Union County-- heightening awareness of issues like this one is the only way to create change in our nation! To read the thoughts of other Union county locals, check out the Hyperion link in my hometown paper ( http://www.akronhometowner.com/ ) Thanks!

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