Living here in SWLA with all the petrochemical industry, we're all aware of EPA regulations.  I know all the plants around here spend a great deal of time making sure that those regulations are met and that everything is safe for the workers and , of course, the surrounding community.

Having said that, I'd be willing to bet that, despite the threat of heavy fines, not one single plant in this area will comply with a new EPA regulation.  The explanation, as Glenn Beck often says, "will make blood spurt out of your eyes."

Under a new EPA regulation, oil refineries will now be required to use a fuel known as cellulosic ethanol. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that none of the refineries to the West of Lake Charles will comply with that new law because "cellulosic ethanol" does not exist!

Ah, yes, dear reader. Our government at work.

One refiner said,"If it weren't so frustrating and infuriating, it would be comical."  As Tom Pyle of the Institute of Energy Research put it,  "the cellulosic biofuel program is the embodiment of government gone wild."

Okay, so what do you do? The EPA says that, being the magnanimous, salary laden program that they are, they will lower the amount of cellulosic ethanol that must be blended by 98%. So, in the good news column, refineries will now only have to blend in 2% of a substance that doesn't exist! Wow, why didn't I think of that?

Well, according to the EPA, they are keeping that 2% part of the requirement since they feel that , down the line, the product will exist.  Of course! We don't have 2.5 trillion dollars to spend on a project but someday we might so lets do the project.

 

What are refiners going to do about this problem? there is only one thing they can do. They are now suing the EPA.  The EPA is demanding that 500 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol be used this year. IN three years, the EPA will demand that 3 billion gallons be blended.

Let me get this straight. The EPA, rather than admit their idiocy, are going to force a multi-million dollar law suit. Gee, I wonder who will pick up the tab for that?

And some people want the government more involved in their lives! I wouldn't let them count my spare change.

 

 

 

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