Porti & ambiente — le notizie raccolte

La Liguria ha raggiunto il 61,31 per cento dell'obiettivo di potenza installata da fonti rinnovabili previsto per il 2026. Attualmente risultano in esercizio impianti per 550 megawatt, a cui si aggiungono 1.128 megawatt relativi a strutture per le quali è già stata avanzata la richiesta di connessione alla rete. I dati sono stati diffusi dall'assessore regionale all'energia Paolo Ripamonti per fare il punto sulle politiche di settore. La valutazione dell'efficienza energetica ligure deve misurarsi con i limiti morfologici di un territorio prevalentemente montuoso, caratterizzato da un'elevata densità abitativa lungo la costa e da stringenti vincoli paesaggistici. Sul piano programmatorio, negli ultimi mesi è stato approvato il nuovo piano energetico ambientale regionale, denominato Pear 2030, rimasto bloccato per sei anni. Entro la fine di settembre è atteso il via libera alla legge regionale sulle aree idonee, mentre si trova in fase di valutazione ambientale strategica, la Vas, il piano di accelerazione. I provvedimenti intendono velocizzare l'iter autorizzativo per l'installazione di impianti nelle aree degradate, lasciando ai comuni la possibilità di ampliarne i perimetri. Nel 2025 la regione ha ottenuto un riconoscimento nazionale per la più alta percentuale di energia prodotta e autoconsumata all'interno del proprio territorio. Un intervento operativo riguarda il porto di Savona-Vado, dove è in fase di realizzazione una smart grid finanziata con risorse del Pnrr. Il sistema integra impianti fotovoltaici, sistemi di accumulo e una piattaforma digitale, sviluppando sei campi di produzione, due gruppi di accumulo e tre cabine di media tensione per una potenza di picco pari a circa due megawatt. Nello scalo savonese sono stati avviati anche i lavori per l'elettrificazione delle banchine mediante la tecnologia del cold ironing. L'infrastruttura permetterà alle navi in sosta di spegnere i motori navali e collegarsi direttamente alla rete elettrica terrestre, riducendo l'impatto delle emissioni sull'area urbana. ScegliGenovaTodaycome fonte preferita su Google News Leggi tutte leinchieste e gli approfondimenti Vuoi navigaresenza pubblicità? Scopri come fare © Riproduzione riservata

No recent searches Download our 2025 World Air Quality Report now! Download our 2025 World Air Quality Report now! No recent searches Data attribution 9* Good Main pollutant: PM2.5 1.6µg/m³ 18° 6 km/h 83 % Data attribution Rose Belle air quality index (AQI⁺) forecast Now 9 18° 6 km/h 83% 08:00 9 20° 8 km/h 73% 09:00 9 21° 12 km/h 64% 10:00 9 22° 14 km/h 59% 11:00 9 22° 14 km/h 55% 12:00 9 23° 15 km/h 52% 13:00 11 23° 16 km/h 49% 14:00 10 23° 15 km/h 48% 15:00 9 23° 14 km/h 47% 16:00 8 23° 15 km/h 50% 17:00 9 22° 15 km/h 57% 18:00 11 21° 11 km/h 67% 19:00 13 20° 10 km/h 72% 20:00 13 20° 7 km/h 74% 21:00 13 19° 7 km/h 76% 22:00 13 19° 7 km/h 78% 23:00 12 19° 6 km/h 79% Mon 00:00 11 19° 6 km/h 79% 01:00 11 19° 6 km/h 81% 02:00 13 18° 7 km/h 81% 03:00 15 18° 6 km/h 82% 04:00 18 18° 6 km/h 83% 05:00 16 18° 6 km/h 83% 06:00 15 18° 7 km/h 83% 07:00 14 18° 5 km/h 81% 08:00 12 20° 7 km/h 69% 09:00 10 21° 11 km/h 60% 10:00 9 22° 13 km/h 54% 11:00 9 23° 14 km/h 53% 12:00 9 23° 15 km/h 51% 13:00 9 24° 15 km/h 46% 14:00 8 23° 15 km/h 45% 15:00 7 23° 13 km/h 47% 16:00 6 23° 13 km/h 51% 17:00 6 22° 12 km/h 58% 18:00 6 21° 12 km/h 65% 19:00 6 21° 10 km/h 70% 20:00 6 20° 9 km/h 73% 21:00 6 20° 7 km/h 75% 22:00 7 20° 7 km/h 76% 23:00 6 19° 6 km/h 76% Tue 00:00 6 19° 6 km/h 77% 01:00 6 19° 6 km/h 79% 02:00 6 19° 7 km/h 79% 03:00 7 19° 7 km/h 79% 04:00 8 19° 6 km/h 79% 05:00 8 18° 6 km/h 79% 06:00 8 19° 6 km/h 78% 07:00 8 19° 8 km/h 72% 08:00 8 21° 10 km/h 60% 09:00 9 22° 15 km/h 54% 10:00 10 22° 15 km/h 54% 11:00 9 23° 17 km/h 55% 12:00 8 23° 17 km/h 54% 13:00 7 24° 20 km/h 51% 14:00 6 24° 19 km/h 49% 15:00 6 23° 19 km/h 48% 16:00 6 23° 19 km/h 55% 17:00 6 22° 18 km/h 64% 18:00 6 21° 12 km/h 71% 19:00 7 21° 10 km/h 74% 20:00 6 21° 11 km/h 75% 21:00 6 21° 11 km/h 74% 22:00 6 20° 10 km/h 71% 23:00 6 20° 10 km/h 67% Wed 00:00 6 20° 7 km/h 67% 01:00 6 20° 7 km/h 69% 02:00 8 20° 8 km/h 70% 03:00 11 19° 7 km/h 72% 04:00 14 19° 7 km/h 79% 05:00 14 19° 8 km/h 84% 06:00 14 19° 8 km/h 84% Rose Belle air quality index (AQI⁺) forecast 11 23° 18° 16 km/h 64% 10 24° 18° 15 km/h 62% 8 24° 19° 20 km/h 62% What is the current air quality in Rose Belle? PM2.5 concentration currently meets the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline. Health recommendations Enjoy outdoor activities Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors Health recommendations Enjoy outdoor activities Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors IQAir AirVisual app Stay updated on the air quality of your favorite places IQAir Earth Real-time, 3D animated air pollution map Deploy your own station Get a monitor and contribute air quality data in your city. Get exclusive articles, product updates, tips, and occasional offers delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Google guida un consorzio britannico per limitare l'inquinamento con l'aiuto dell'Ai: modificando (di poco) le rotte degli aerei in zone meno umide i voli diventano più sostenibili L’opinione pubblica mondiale si stupì molto quando nel 2023 laFederazione europea per il trasporto e l'ambientepubblicò i numeri dell’inquinamento prodotto dal traffico navale. Tra i tanti: una sola nave da crociera produce ogni giorno la stessa quantità di particolato (PM2.5 e PM10) di un milione di auto.E il traffico aereo?Il settore dell'aviazione civile è direttamente responsabile di circa il 2-3% delle emissioni globali di anidride carbonica (circa 285 grammi di emissioni di CO₂ per passeggero-chilometro) ma il suo impatto complessivo sul riscaldamento globale sale al 4-5% se si considerano gli effetti secondari indiretti come gli ossidi di azoto che producono ozono nella troposfera e le scie di condensazione:il vapore acqueo e il particolato emessi dai gas di scarico dei jet in alta quota formano queste nuvole “artificiali” che contribuiscono a intrappolare il calore nella Terra, raddoppiando l'effetto riscaldante del volo in sé. Le scie di condensazione si formano solo quando gli aerei sorvolano regioni umide.Se le evitassero, solo volando a un’altezza diversa e senza cambiare rotta, gli aerei avrebbero un consumo di carburante appena superiore mail volo sarebbe molto più sostenibile.Le scie di condensazione possono persistere come nuvole per minuti o addirittura per ore, intrappolando il calore e trattenendolo nell’atmosfera, soprattutto di notte. Accade anche di giorno, quando però riflettono anche la luce solare e il calore in arrivo. Google sta collaborando con il Governo di Londra, molte istituzioni scientifiche del Regno Unito a partire dall’Università di Cambridge e con l'intero settore dell'aviazione per ridurre l'impatto climatico dell'aviazione civile sfruttando il lavoro dell'AI. L’obiettivo finale è diminuire l’impatto delle scie di condensazione: sebbene possano sembrare innocue, secondo unrecente rapporto dell'IPCC, contribuiscono al riscaldamento per il 35.3% dell'impatto climatico totale dell'aviazione. Ovviamente solo una frazione dei voli necessita di modifiche. Combinando enormi quantità di dati meteo, immagini satellitari e dati di volo, l'intelligenza artificiale può creare previsioni precise su quando e dove è probabile si possano formare scie di condensazione. La AI consente ai piloti e ai controllori del traffico aereo di apportare modifiche mirate alle rotte ma soprattutto all'altitudine dei voli per evitare le zone sensibili alle scie di condensazione, pur rimanendo nell'ambito delle normali operazioni di volo. Su 70 voli di prova effettuati in sei mesi da American Airlines utilizzando le previsioni basate sull'IA, le scie di condensazione si sono ridotte del 54%: una soluzione conveniente se si pensa che la compagnia ha ottenuto questo risultato consumando solo il 2% di carburante in più. Dopo il periodo di test, ora si entra nella seconda fase della sperimentazione: l'Operazione Blue Skies, la prima al mondo di questo genere supportata da uno Stato, prevede a monte la scelta di un intero spazio aereo oceanico – quello diShandwicknella metà orientale del corridoio del Nord Atlantico - che rappresenta circa il 5% delle scie di condensazione globali. Il programma durerà 30 mesi e prevederà due prove operative: in funzione di particolari condizioni meteo, una piccola parte dei 10.000 voli che è previsto attraversino quell’area verranno leggermente deviati, riducendo la formazione di scie di condensazione che causano quel riscaldamento. 22 ago 2026 © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA

No recent searches Download our 2025 World Air Quality Report now! Is your indoor air safe? Find out with a 7-Day Evaluation. Contact us on WhatsApp: +971 52 311 9457 No recent searches Data attribution 13 stations from14 contributors Data attribution 13 stations from14 contributors Wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador Active fires -- IQAir AirVisual app Stay updated on the air quality of your favorite places IQAir Earth Real-time, 3D animated air pollution map Deploy your own station Get a monitor and contribute air quality data in your city. Get exclusive articles, product updates, tips, and occasional offers delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

“I dati relativi alla diffusione delle fonti energetiche rinnovabili devono essere letti nella loro completezza e rapportati alle caratteristiche dei singoli territori. Spesso, nella valutazione della performance energetica ligure vengono presi in considerazione dati, che se non correttamente contestualizzati, non forniscono una reale fotografia della situazione regionale. La Liguria presenta una conformazione morfologica particolarmente complessa, avendo non solo una superficie limitata, ma un territorio prevalentemente montuoso ben visibile da una parte all’altra della regione e che detiene un’elevata densità abitativa lungo la costa, nonché numerosissimi vincoli paesaggistici e ambientali. Per questo motivo, un confronto basato esclusivamente sui valori assoluti o su un singolo indicatore rischia di offrire una rappresentazione parziale della situazione”. Lo dichiara l’assessore regionale all’Energia Paolo Ripamonti, facendo il punto sulle politiche e sulle iniziative messe in campo da Regione Liguria per favorire lo sviluppo delle fonti energetiche rinnovabili. “Regione Liguria e l’assessorato all’Energia sono tutt’altro che immobili – prosegue Ripamonti –. A livello programmatico e normativo, solo negli ultimi mesi, dopo sei anni, è stato approvato il nuovo Piano energetico ambientale regionale, fermo al 2020, il PEAR 2030: lo strumento che definisce le strategie e gli interventi necessari per accompagnare la Liguria verso un sistema energetico più sostenibile, efficiente e orientato allo sviluppo delle rinnovabili ed è stata proposta (e verrà approvata presumibilmente entro fine settembre) la legge regionale per le Aree Idonee. Risulta in fase di VAS, poi, anche il Piano di Accelerazione”. “Si tratta di strumenti particolarmente importanti – sottolinea l’assessore – perché permetteranno di accelerare l’iter autorizzativo in aree degradate, favorendo una più rapida diffusione di impianti FER, tutelando al contempo il paesaggio, l’ambiente e le peculiarità dei nostri territori”. I dati sullo sviluppo delle FER confermano il percorso intrapreso: la Liguria ha raggiunto il 61,31% dell’obiettivo di potenza installata previsto per il 2026. Attualmente, infatti, risultano: • 550 MW riferiti a impianti in esercizio; • 1.128 MW relativi a impianti per i quali è stata richiesta la connessione. “Questi numeri dimostrano che, anche in un territorio complesso come quello ligure, esistono una forte attenzione e una concreta capacità di iniziativa, sia pubblica sia privata – aggiunge Ripamonti –. La quantità di progetti in fase di connessione, autorizzazione o avvio testimonia una prospettiva di crescita significativa della potenza prodotta da fonti rinnovabili”. Il dato di nuova installazione, tuttavia, come detto in precedenza, dev’essere correlato con altre tipologie di dati, quali la percentuale di energia prodotta e autoconsumata all’interno del territorio regionale (la Liguria nel 2025 ha ricevuto il premio per la regione più virtuosa in questo senso) e la progressiva riduzione di consumi grazie alle misure regionali che favoriscono l’efficientamento. “Per aumentare la produzione di energia pulita e raggiungere gli obiettivi di burden sharing, non basta però lavorare con un approccio ‘top-down’ – prosegue l’assessore regionale -. È, infatti, altrettanto indispensabile mantenere sempre aperto il dialogo tra produttori, Istituzioni, amministrazioni locali e comunità, affinché ogni progetto possa essere costruito nel rispetto dei territori e con ricadute concrete per cittadini e imprese. La Regione è consapevole dell’importanza di un approccio partecipato nella gestione del territorio: i Comuni sono le istituzioni più vicine ai bisogni del proprio territorio e questo è un aspetto che abbiamo voluto valorizzare soprattutto nella legge aree idonee, dando loro la facoltà di ampliare le stesse e favorire ulteriormente la nascita di nuovi impianti”. Regione sul tema dell’energia, quindi, sta sviluppando un approccio integrato che punta a coniugare la tutela paesaggistica e ambientale allo sviluppo energetico riducendo i conflitti tra territorio e aziende, che in molte regioni ha portato all’immobilità imprenditoriale e a conseguenti notevoli perdite economiche. Un esempio significativo arriva dal porto di Savona-Vado, dove è in fase di realizzazione una Smart Grid finanziata con risorse del PNRR. Il sistema integra impianti fotovoltaici, sistemi di accumulo e una piattaforma digitale per la gestione intelligente dell’energia. Sono stati realizzati sei campi di produzione, due gruppi di accumulo e tre cabine di media tensione, per una potenza di picco complessiva di circa 2 MW. Nel porto savonese sono inoltre avanzati gli interventi di elettrificazione delle banchine. Il nuovo impianto di cold ironing permetterà alle navi ormeggiate di spegnere i motori e alimentarsi attraverso la rete elettrica di terra, contribuendo alla riduzione delle emissioni e dell’impatto delle attività portuali sulla città.

“I dati relativi alla diffusione delle fonti energetiche rinnovabili devono essere letti nella loro completezza e rapportati alle caratteristiche dei singoli territori. Spesso, nella valutazione della performance energetica ligure vengono presi in considerazione dati, che se non correttamente contestualizzati, non forniscono una reale fotografia della situazione regionale. La Liguria presenta una conformazione morfologica particolarmente complessa, avendo non solo una superficie limitata, ma un territorio prevalentemente montuoso ben visibile da una parte all’altra della regione e che detiene un’elevata densità abitativa lungo la costa, nonché numerosissimi vincoli paesaggistici e ambientali. Per questo motivo, un confronto basato esclusivamente sui valori assoluti o su un singolo indicatore rischia di offrire una rappresentazione parziale della situazione”. Lo dichiara l’assessore regionale all’Energia Paolo Ripamonti, facendo il punto sulle politiche e sulle iniziative messe in campo da Regione Liguria per favorire lo sviluppo delle fonti energetiche rinnovabili. “Regione Liguria e l’assessorato all’Energia sono tutt’altro che immobili – prosegue Ripamonti –. A livello programmatico e normativo, solo negli ultimi mesi, dopo sei anni, è stato approvato il nuovo Piano energetico ambientale regionale, fermo al 2020, il PEAR 2030: lo strumento che definisce le strategie e gli interventi necessari per accompagnare la Liguria verso un sistema energetico più sostenibile, efficiente e orientato allo sviluppo delle rinnovabili ed è stata proposta (e verrà approvata presumibilmente entro fine settembre) la legge regionale per le Aree Idonee. Risulta in fase di VAS, poi, anche il Piano di Accelerazione”. “Si tratta di strumenti particolarmente importanti – sottolinea l’assessore – perché permetteranno di accelerare l'iter autorizzativo in aree degradate, favorendo una più rapida diffusione di impianti FER, tutelando al contempo il paesaggio, l’ambiente e le peculiarità dei nostri territori”. I dati sullo sviluppo delle FER confermano il percorso intrapreso: la Liguria ha raggiunto il 61,31% dell’obiettivo di potenza installata previsto per il 2026. Attualmente, infatti, risultano: - 550 MW riferiti a impianti in esercizio; - 1.128 MW relativi a impianti per i quali è stata richiesta la connessione. “Questi numeri dimostrano che, anche in un territorio complesso come quello ligure, esistono una forte attenzione e una concreta capacità di iniziativa, sia pubblica sia privata – aggiunge Ripamonti –. La quantità di progetti in fase di connessione, autorizzazione o avvio testimonia una prospettiva di crescita significativa della potenza prodotta da fonti rinnovabili”. Il dato di nuova installazione, tuttavia, come detto in precedenza, dev’essere correlato con altre tipologie di dati, quali la percentuale di energia prodotta e autoconsumata all’interno del territorio regionale (la Liguria nel 2025 ha ricevuto il premio per la regione più virtuosa in questo senso) e la progressiva riduzione di consumi grazie alle misure regionali che favoriscono l’efficientamento. “Per aumentare la produzione di energia pulita e raggiungere gli obiettivi di burden sharing, non basta però lavorare con un approccio ‘top-down’ – prosegue l’assessore regionale -. È, infatti, altrettanto indispensabile mantenere sempre aperto il dialogo tra produttori, Istituzioni, amministrazioni locali e comunità, affinché ogni progetto possa essere costruito nel rispetto dei territori e con ricadute concrete per cittadini e imprese. La Regione è consapevole dell’importanza di un approccio partecipato nella gestione del territorio: i Comuni sono le istituzioni più vicine ai bisogni del proprio territorio e questo è un aspetto che abbiamo voluto valorizzare soprattutto nella legge aree idonee, dando loro la facoltà di ampliare le stesse e favorire ulteriormente la nascita di nuovi impianti”. Regione sul tema dell’energia, quindi, sta sviluppando un approccio integrato che punta a coniugare la tutela paesaggistica e ambientale allo sviluppo energetico riducendo i conflitti tra territorio e aziende, che in molte regioni ha portato all’immobilità imprenditoriale e a conseguenti notevoli perdite economiche. Un esempio significativo arriva dal porto di Savona-Vado, dove è in fase di realizzazione una Smart Grid finanziata con risorse del PNRR. Il sistema integra impianti fotovoltaici, sistemi di accumulo e una piattaforma digitale per la gestione intelligente dell’energia. Sono stati realizzati sei campi di produzione, due gruppi di accumulo e tre cabine di media tensione, per una potenza di picco complessiva di circa 2 MW. Nel porto savonese sono inoltre avanzati gli interventi di elettrificazione delle banchine. Il nuovo impianto di cold ironing permetterà alle navi ormeggiate di spegnere i motori e alimentarsi attraverso la rete elettrica di terra, contribuendo alla riduzione delle emissioni e dell’impatto delle attività portuali sulla città. “Il percorso avviato dal porto di Savona-Vado va nella giusta direzione – conclude Ripamonti – perché unisce produzione da fonti rinnovabili, accumulo, digitalizzazione della rete ed elettrificazione delle banchine. È questo il modello di transizione energetica che vogliamo sostenere: concreto, tecnologicamente avanzato, capace di ridurre le emissioni e, nello stesso tempo, di rendere le nostre infrastrutture più competitive. La Liguria non è ferma: sta costruendo, con serietà e nel rispetto delle proprie caratteristiche, il suo futuro energetico”.

Ostaggi della Sp 29 del Cadibona. I residenti dei nuclei abitati lungo la Provinciale, da Maschio a Montemoro a Cadibona, raccontano il peso della quotidiana convivenza con quella strada e il vertiginoso aumento del traffico pesante. Una posizione a cui si aggiunge anche Altare. Strada costruita in epoca napoleonica Spiegano i residenti che abitano lungo la strada realizzata in epoca napoleonica e che, pur ovviamente con i miglioramenti e le modifiche avvenute in due secoli, risulta del tutto inadeguata agli attuali volumi di traffico, con il tracciato che, comunque, ricalca in larga parte quello originario. «Il transito, in particolare di mezzi pesanti, è aumentato sensibilmente dal 2019, con il blocco delle Funivie. A ciò si aggiunge la crescita dei traffici merci nei porti di Savona e Vado Ligure, nonché il frequente passaggio di trasporti eccezionali. “Gas di scarico, rumore e vibrazioni con danin alle case” Da anni segnaliamo criticità rilevanti inerenti alla strada, a cui si aggiungono scenari come l’aumento esponenziale delle emissioni di gas di scarico, del rumore, delle vibrazioni che si ripercuotono sulle case. Così come, nel trasporto di rinfuse come il carbone, abbiamo più volte osservato camion con carichi eccedenti, o non adeguatamente coperti, con dispersione di materiale lungo il percorso. Per non parlare dei camion ribaltati». Alternative del treno, funivie e maggior utilizzo della A6 Nel corso degli anni, ricordano, «sono state avanzate varie ipotesi, dal trasporto su treno, al ripristino delle Funivie, ad un maggior utilizzo della A6: ipotesi, però, rimaste solo sulla carta. Oltretutto, anche intervenendo, con costi ingenti, a spot sui punti più critici della Sp 29, il tracciato rimane inadeguato per continuare ad essere la principale direttrice logistica da e verso il porto». “No a promesse e interventi provvisori” Quindi la domanda: «Quale futuro si intende garantire alla Sp 29 del Cadibona: non chiediamo promesse né interventi provvisori, ma una strategia concreta che affronti insieme la sicurezza stradale, la tutela della salute, la gestione dei traffici portuali e il diritto alla qualità della vita delle comunità attraversate da quella strada». Serve un tavolo di confronto con l’Autostrada dei Fiori D’accordo il sindaco di Quiliano, Nicola Isetta: «Ho posto tale questione nelle sedi opportune, dalla Provincia all’Autorità di Sistema Portuale. La Sp 29 non è in grado di sopportare un simile traffico, ed è opportuno, come si è anche iniziato a fare, comporre un tavolo di confronto con la società Autostrada dei Fiori per quanto riguarda formule di agevolazione, per i mezzi pesanti, affinché utilizzino l’autostrada. Il tutto deve però rientrare in una convergenza tra vari enti per una nuova ottica sulla logistica». Il sindaco di Altare, Roberto Briano, premette che «il nostro paese non si affaccia direttamente sulla Sp 29, ma le continue chiusure della galleria Fugona dirottano il traffico lungo la viabilità interna comunale, con disagi davvero pesanti. Ora, pensare a un totale ammodernamento e adeguamento della Sp 29 è irrealistico, sia tecnicamente che economicamente. “I camion del carbone devono passare sull’autostrada” L’alternativa è la Torino-Savona: con un’autostrada rinnovata e due corsie di marcia per direzione (i cantieri dovrebbero terminare entro fine anno), non ci sarebbero ostacoli tecnici per il transito dei camion del carbone, anche se l’aumento del traffico pesante sulla Sp 29 non è dato solo da quelli. Occorrerà, però, che la Regione si faccia carico di un tavolo di confronto con il concessionario della A6, coinvolgendo trasportatori, Autorità portuale e tutti i soggetti deputati a studiare agevolazioni, sconti sul pedaggio, abbonamenti. Ma non è realistico che tali agevolazioni pesino solo sul concessionario».

No recent searches Download our 2025 World Air Quality Report now! No recent searches Data attribution 26* Good Main pollutant: PM2.5 4.7µg/m³ 19° 20 km/h 97 % Data attribution Port Colborne air quality index (AQI⁺) forecast Now 26 19° 20 km/h 97% Sun 01:00 26 80% 19° 19 km/h 95% 02:00 29 80% 19° 24 km/h 95% 03:00 30 19° 21 km/h 98% 04:00 31 18° 14 km/h 97% 05:00 30 70% 17° 17 km/h 97% 06:00 30 17° 17 km/h 97% 07:00 31 70% 17° 18 km/h 97% 08:00 37 18° 21 km/h 93% 09:00 39 18° 23 km/h 93% 10:00 40 18° 18 km/h 84% 11:00 54 20° 24 km/h 84% 12:00 54 20° 24 km/h 82% 13:00 54 20° 29 km/h 78% 14:00 55 21° 23 km/h 71% 15:00 55 20° 24 km/h 76% 16:00 55 80% 20° 19 km/h 81% 17:00 56 80% 18° 16 km/h 89% 18:00 56 17° 22 km/h 93% 19:00 56 70% 17° 14 km/h 92% 20:00 54 17° 19 km/h 95% 21:00 54 16° 15 km/h 93% 22:00 54 16° 15 km/h 92% 23:00 54 15° 18 km/h 96% Mon 00:00 54 15° 17 km/h 94% 01:00 54 14° 13 km/h 95% 02:00 58 14° 15 km/h 95% 03:00 58 80% 14° 12 km/h 96% 04:00 58 80% 14° 10 km/h 97% 05:00 39 14° 13 km/h 97% 06:00 39 14° 14 km/h 96% 07:00 39 14° 13 km/h 96% 08:00 28 15° 14 km/h 95% 09:00 28 16° 17 km/h 92% 10:00 28 15° 19 km/h 92% 11:00 15 16° 23 km/h 87% 12:00 15 17° 25 km/h 79% 13:00 15 18° 27 km/h 75% 14:00 13 18° 24 km/h 77% 15:00 13 18° 23 km/h 77% 16:00 13 18° 22 km/h 77% 17:00 17 18° 23 km/h 75% 18:00 17 18° 20 km/h 77% 19:00 17 18° 19 km/h 79% 20:00 22 17° 18 km/h 80% 21:00 22 16° 15 km/h 91% 22:00 22 16° 12 km/h 92% 23:00 21 16° 14 km/h 91% Tue 00:00 21 16° 16 km/h 91% 01:00 21 16° 18 km/h 90% 02:00 8 16° 19 km/h 91% 03:00 8 16° 18 km/h 91% 04:00 8 15° 16 km/h 94% 05:00 8 15° 15 km/h 95% 06:00 8 15° 16 km/h 92% 07:00 8 16° 18 km/h 90% 08:00 7 16° 17 km/h 88% 09:00 7 17° 17 km/h 78% 10:00 7 19° 18 km/h 68% 11:00 14 20° 17 km/h 60% 12:00 14 21° 19 km/h 58% 13:00 14 21° 16 km/h 59% 14:00 7 22° 13 km/h 57% 15:00 7 22° 10 km/h 56% 16:00 7 22° 6 km/h 53% 17:00 6 21° 5 km/h 69% 18:00 6 22° 7 km/h 63% 19:00 6 21° 12 km/h 75% 20:00 6 20° 12 km/h 78% 21:00 6 19° 10 km/h 79% 22:00 6 18° 12 km/h 80% 23:00 8 17° 9 km/h 85% Port Colborne air quality index (AQI⁺) forecast 41 21° 16° 29 km/h 88% 35 18° 14° 27 km/h 84% 12 22° 15° 19 km/h 71% What is the current air quality in Port Colborne? PM2.5 concentration currently meets the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline. Health recommendations Enjoy outdoor activities Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors What is the pollen count in Port Colborne today? Index Moderate Tree None Grass None Weed Moderate Source: Health recommendations Enjoy outdoor activities Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors What is the pollen count in Port Colborne today? Index Moderate Tree None Grass None Weed Moderate Source: IQAir AirVisual app Stay updated on the air quality of your favorite places IQAir Earth Real-time, 3D animated air pollution map Deploy your own station Get a monitor and contribute air quality data in your city. Get exclusive articles, product updates, tips, and occasional offers delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Ieri, 21 agosto, si sono aperti i Giochi del Mediterraneo Taranto 2026. La ventesima edizione della manifestazione sportiva ha preso ufficialmente il via e la città pugliese dei due mari si trova davanti a una domanda che va oltre le medaglie e le infrastrutture sportive: quale sarà il bilancio ambientale dell’evento e quale eredità lascerà dopo il 3 settembre? I Giochi coinvolgono 26 Paesi mediterranei e oltre 4.000 atleti, con competizioni distribuite tra Taranto e altri centri della Puglia. Ed è proprio l’idea di “legacy”, cioè l’eredità destinata a rimanere sul territorio dopo la conclusione dell’evento, a rappresentare uno dei punti centrali del dibattito. Taranto 2026 nasce con una promessa di sostenibilità Il progetto ufficiale dei Giochi del Mediterraneo Taranto 2026 presenta la manifestazione come un’occasione di rigenerazione urbana e sviluppo territoriale. Il Comitato organizzatore dichiara di aver adottato un modello regionale e sostenibile basato soprattutto sulla valorizzazione e modernizzazione delle infrastrutture esistenti. Tra gli obiettivi dichiarati ci sono la riduzione dell’impatto ambientale, la mobilità sostenibile e il coinvolgimento delle comunità locali. Il piano prevede inoltre che gli impianti continuino a essere utilizzati dalla popolazione anche dopo i Giochi. La stessa impostazione era alla base del progetto originario elaborato da ASSET, l’Agenzia regionale strategica per lo sviluppo ecosostenibile del territorio: utilizzare oltre 40 impianti già esistenti, distribuendo le gare in numerosi comuni, e limitare la costruzione di nuove strutture. Un’impostazione coerente con uno dei principi più importanti quando si parla di grandi eventi sportivi: riutilizzare ciò che esiste invece di costruire nuove infrastrutture destinate a diventare successivamente inutilizzate o difficili da gestire. Ma proprio qui emerge una delle prime contraddizioni sollevate negli ultimi anni. Nuove infrastrutture e consumo di risorse: il nodo della legacy Nel marzo 2025 Elio Sannicandro, direttore generale di ASSET, ha pubblicato sul sito dell’agenzia regionale un’analisi molto critica sull’evoluzione del progetto. Secondo Sannicandro, alcune modifiche apportate al Masterplan originario avrebbero compromesso la coerenza ambientale ed economica dell’idea iniziale. Tra gli esempi citati ci sono la trasformazione del progetto della palestra polifunzionale della Salinella e l’aumento dei costi legati alla riqualificazione dello stadio Iacovone, passati secondo ASSET da 18 a 62 milioni di euro. Il problema ambientale, in questo caso, non riguarda soltanto il cemento utilizzato per costruire o ristrutturare un impianto. Un grande evento deve infatti essere valutato lungo tutto il suo ciclo di vita: materiali, energia, acqua, manutenzione, trasporti e utilizzo futuro delle strutture. La domanda è quindi semplice: gli impianti resteranno realmente utilizzati e sostenibili anche quando gli atleti e gli spettatori saranno andati via? Il Comune ha già consegnato, ad esempio, il nuovo Parco Urbano della Salinella, realizzato con un investimento superiore a 5 milioni di euro e presentato come uno spazio destinato a rimanere a disposizione del quartiere. È questo il tipo di eredità che potrebbe trasformare un grande evento sportivo in un investimento ambientale e urbano duraturo. Il Villaggio Mediterraneo sulle navi: la questione ambientale più controversa Uno degli aspetti più particolari di Taranto 2026 è anche quello che ha suscitato maggiori perplessità sotto il profilo ambientale: gli atleti vengono ospitati su due navi ormeggiate nella Stazione Navale Mar Grande. La Aroya, arrivata a Taranto il 16 agosto, può ospitare migliaia di persone. A questa si è aggiunta la Romantika, portando la capacità complessiva del Villaggio Mediterraneo a circa 4.500 posti letto. La scelta è stata motivata dagli organizzatori con ragioni logistiche e di vicinanza agli impianti. Ma l’idea non è nuova nel dibattito ambientale. Già nel marzo 2025 ASSET aveva espresso “fortissime perplessità” sull’ipotesi delle navi da crociera, sostenendo che la presenza contemporanea di migliaia di persone avrebbe potuto determinare un impatto significativo su un ecosistema marino considerato fragile e richiedere specifici monitoraggi ambientali. Oggi la questione non è più teorica: le due navi sono effettivamente ormeggiate a Taranto e costituiscono il Villaggio Mediterraneo. Questo rende particolarmente interessante capire, a consuntivo, quanta energia verrà utilizzata, come saranno gestiti i rifiuti e le acque reflue, quali saranno i consumi idrici e quale sarà l’impatto complessivo della permanenza delle navi nel porto. Sono dati che, al momento, non risultano presentati in un vero e proprio bilancio ambientale pubblico dei Giochi. Ed è probabilmente questo uno dei principali punti da monitorare nei prossimi mesi. Mobilità: la grande sfida invisibile dei Giochi Un altro elemento fondamentale dell’impatto ambientale di un evento sportivo è rappresentato dagli spostamenti. Atleti, tecnici, volontari, giornalisti e spettatori devono raggiungere impianti distribuiti non soltanto a Taranto, ma in altri comuni pugliesi. Il piano ufficiale individua proprio nella mobilità sostenibile uno dei pilastri ambientali di Taranto 2026. È una scelta importante perché, per i grandi eventi, il trasporto può rappresentare una delle principali fonti di emissioni indirette. Per questo il vero test della sostenibilità non sarà soltanto vedere qualche navetta elettrica o alcune iniziative di mobilità durante le gare. Sarà capire come si sposteranno quotidianamente migliaia di persone per due settimane e quali emissioni produrrà l’intero sistema di trasporto. Rifiuti e decoro urbano: l’operazione PuliAmo Taranto Sul fronte dei rifiuti, il Comitato organizzatore ha promosso il 1° agosto PuliAmo Taranto, una giornata di volontariato realizzata insieme a BioDesign Foundation e all’associazione SiAmo Taranto. Volontari e componenti del Comitato hanno raccolto rifiuti nel Parco Cimino e nell’area dello stadio Iacovone. L’iniziativa è interessante perché coinvolge direttamente realtà associative locali e cittadini. Ma mostra anche quanto il tema del decoro urbano sia centrale nell’avvicinamento a un evento internazionale. Secondo SiAmo Taranto, durante la pulizia sono emerse criticità concrete, tra cui la presenza di rifiuti e la carenza di cestini in alcune zone vicine alle fermate degli autobus. Una giornata di raccolta dei rifiuti, naturalmente, non può essere considerata una misura sufficiente per rendere sostenibile un grande evento. Può però diventare un punto di partenza se inserita in una strategia permanente di prevenzione, raccolta differenziata, riuso e riduzione dei rifiuti. E le associazioni? Più che contro i Giochi, contro un modello di sviluppo Non emerge una vera e propria mobilitazione ambientalista strutturata e specificamente contro lo svolgimento dei Giochi del Mediterraneo. Le principali critiche ambientaliste e civiche rivolte alla vigilia dell’evento riguardano piuttosto il modello di sviluppo di Taranto e il rischio che i Giochi diventino una vetrina capace di nascondere problemi ambientali ancora irrisolti. È il caso del manifesto “Ora definisci Taranto”, promosso nel luglio 2026 da un ampio cartello di associazioni, comitati, cittadini e lavoratori. Tra i firmatari figurano Genitori Tarantini, Terra Jonica, Coordinamento Cittadino Lido Azzurro, Comitato Quartiere Tamburi, Comitato Cittadini e Lavoratori Liberi e Pensanti, Comitato Qualità per la Vita, Rete Difesa Fiume Tara, A.N.T.A., Comitato Donne e Futuro per Taranto Libera e PeaceLink. Il documento mette al centro ambiente, salute, lavoro, paesaggio e partecipazione, chiedendo che le decisioni sul territorio siano sottoposte a valutazioni rigorose e a un maggiore coinvolgimento della cittadinanza. E proprio alla vigilia dei Giochi, i promotori hanno sottolineato che non sarebbero sufficienti interventi di facciata: secondo il coordinamento, il rilancio della città dovrebbe passare soprattutto da bonifiche, decontaminazione, messa in sicurezza delle aree compromesse e valorizzazione del mare, del fiume Tara e del patrimonio paesaggistico. Una posizione che non equivale a una contestazione dei Giochi in sé, ma pone una questione più profonda: quale Taranto resterà dopo Taranto 2026? La città dell’acciaio davanti a una nuova narrazione Il tema ambientale assume un peso particolare perché Taranto arriva all’appuntamento sportivo internazionale con una delle più complesse eredità industriali d’Italia. Alla vigilia dell’inaugurazione, anche i rappresentanti dei lavoratori dell’ex Ilva hanno rilanciato la richiesta di una svolta capace di tenere insieme salute, ambiente e occupazione, sottolineando la necessità di superare il modello produttivo legato al carbone e accelerare la decarbonizzazione. È una questione che va oltre i Giochi, ma che inevitabilmente finisce per intrecciarsi con la loro narrazione. Taranto 2026 vuole infatti presentare al Mediterraneo un’immagine diversa della città: non soltanto acciaio e industria pesante, ma mare, sport, cultura, paesaggio e rigenerazione urbana. La sfida ambientale è fare in modo che questa nuova immagine non sia soltanto comunicazione. Il vero bilancio ambientale arriverà dopo il 3 settembre I Giochi del Mediterraneo Taranto 2026 hanno quindi due facce. Da una parte c’è un’organizzazione che dichiara di voler puntare sulla sostenibilità: riuso delle infrastrutture, riqualificazione urbana, mobilità sostenibile, coinvolgimento delle comunità e una legacy destinata a durare oltre l’evento. Dall’altra ci sono le perplessità espresse da ASSET sulle modifiche al progetto originario, le questioni ambientali legate alle navi del Villaggio Mediterraneo e un movimento civico che chiede che la trasformazione di Taranto non si limiti alle opere visibili prima dell’inaugurazione. Per capire davvero l’impatto ambientale dei Giochi del Mediterraneo Taranto 2026, dunque, non basterà osservare ciò che accade nelle prossime due settimane. Serviranno dati. Quanta CO₂ sarà stata emessa? Quanta acqua sarà stata consumata? Quanti rifiuti saranno stati prodotti e quanti recuperati? Quale sarà stato il consumo energetico degli impianti e delle due navi? Quale sarà il bilancio della mobilità? E soprattutto: quante delle infrastrutture realizzate continueranno a essere utilizzate dalla comunità tra cinque, dieci o vent’anni? È su queste risposte che si misurerà la vera sostenibilità di Taranto 2026. Perché un grande evento sportivo può certamente essere un acceleratore di rigenerazione urbana. Ma la sua eredità più importante non dovrebbe essere la fotografia di una città trasformata per due settimane. Dovrebbe essere una città migliore anche quando le luci degli stadi si saranno spente. [Immagine di copertina @ Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ionio – Porto di Taranto]

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video EITB Última actualización A raíz del último incendio, los habitantes de Lezo han vuelto a confinarse y cerrar puertas y ventanas. Denuncian que esto es algo habitual y que las empresas que trabajan en el puerto sacan beneficios a expensas de su salud. Por lo tanto, piden a las autoridades que tomen medidas. El ministro de Política Territorial y Memoria Democrática, Ángel Víctor Torres, será el encargado de coordinar dentro del Gobierno de España la situación provocada por la crisis de Ceuta. La plataforma Palestinarekin Elkartasuna se ha manifestado este viernes en Bilbao para recordar que "desde que se firmó el alto el fuego los ataques contra el pueblo palestino de Gaza no solo no han cesado, sino que se han extendido a Líbano e Irán" y ha convocado una movilización nacional el próximo 3 de octubre en Bilbao para "mostrar su apoyo a la resistencia palestina y exigir la disolución del Estado de Israel". El Gobierno de Aragón ha rebajado la alerta al nivel mínimo de protección civil tras el regreso de los últimos evacuados, aunque el operativo sigue activo para consolidar un perímetro de 14 500 hectáreas. El verano seco ha llevado a algunos productores a adelantar la cosecha, mientras que otros iniciarán la recogida en los próximos días. El resultado de la campaña se presentará en septiembre en el manzanal experimental de Villabona. Con la perspectiva que otorgan sus 12 años de alcaldía, destaca la participación ciudadana en la evolución que ha tenido la fiesta. Todavía quedan retos por mejorar y preocupaciones que tener en cuenta. En este sentido, y aunque ha mantenido altibajos con las comparsas, afirma que la relación en estos momentos es de respeto. A falta de un solo día para que estallen las fiestas, los nervios y la emoción embargan al alcalde de Bilbao. Bilboko Konpartsak habilitará guardias diarias para atender a las personas afectadas, acompañarlas a un lugar seguro y contactar con otros agentes si lo solicitan. Dentro de este operativo especial, se implementará la videovigilancia para prevenir agresiones sexistas, se controlará el uso de patinetes eléctricos y se desplegará un dispositivo de limpieza. El fuego se ha declarado esta mañana en una zona de desguace del puerto de Pasaia, donde han ardido principalmente coches y baterías. La importante nube de humo ha llevado a los servicios de emergencia a activar un ES-Alert y pedir el confinamiento, especialmente a la población de Lezo. El aviso ha sido retirado después de comprobarse que la calidad del aire era normal. Las pistas forestales no están transitables, ha aumentado la inestabilidad del terreno y persiste el riesgo de caída de elementos rodantes, lo que supone una amenaza para los profesionales y aumenta el riesgo de que se generen focos secundarios.

Advertisement Advertise with us Climate change and ice-strengthened ships — but not the most expensive icebreakers — could enable a much longer shipping season through the Port of Churchill, new studies released Friday suggest. Read this article for free: Already have an account?Log in here » To continue reading, please subscribe: One year of digital access for only $205* *First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time. To continue reading, please subscribe: $1 for the first 4 weeks* *Your nextBrandon Sunsubscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks. Climate change and ice-strengthened ships — but not the most expensive icebreakers — could enable a much longer shipping season through the Port of Churchill, new studies released Friday suggest. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account?Log in here » Climate change and ice-strengthened ships — but not the most expensive icebreakers — could enable a much longer shipping season through the Port of Churchill, new studies released Friday suggest. However, the studies flagged concerns including unpredictable sea ice conditions and tricky navigation to the northern Manitoba port. The provincial government shared results of studies from the University of Manitoba, Arctic Research Foundation and Fednav, Canada’s largest international dry bulk shipping company. JOHN WOODS/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILESCurrently, ships travel through the Port of Churchill during a four-month window but that could extend to seven months by 2100 — or up to 10 months, depending on climate change, researchers have found. JOHN WOODS/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Currently, ships travel through the Port of Churchill during a four-month window but that could extend to seven months by 2100 — or up to 10 months, depending on climate change, researchers have found. “Churchill could be a year-round port right now, with current technology and using icebreakers and ships that are a lot cheaper, a lot more affordable than we previously thought,” Premier Wab Kinew said. “What that means is a longer shipping season, more economic opportunity.” Open-water ships can travel through the Port of Churchill for five months of the year, new U of M findings show. That season could extend to seven months by 2100 — or up to 10 months, depending on climate change, researchers found. LIAM RICHARDS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILESManitoba Premier Wab Kinew: "Churchill could be a year-round port right now." LIAM RICHARDS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew: "Churchill could be a year-round port right now." Currently, traffic travels through the Port of Churchill during a four-month window between mid-July and October. The study analyzes historical sea ice data and climate modelling. It says the port’s navigable period will extend by roughly two weeks for every 0.5 C of global warming. As Hudson Bay changes, billion-dollar icebreakers aren’t needed for year-round shipping, according to Fednav. The Montreal-based company has been shipping through the Arctic for more than seven decades. It and Arctic Gateway Group, the port’s owner, announced a partnership on the Churchill study in August 2025. Fednav recommends Polar Class 4 vessels. The bulk carriers could cost up to $130 million new and up to $85 million used. Operating costs could range from $10 million to $14 million. Other types of bulk carriers could be used at a lesser cost, with a potential nine- to 10-month shipping season, according to the Arctic Research Foundation. The foundation’s study is preliminary; results should be finalized in March 2027. “What that means is a longer shipping season, more economic opportunity.” “What that means is a longer shipping season, more economic opportunity.” The provincial government is determining which vessels it would consider purchasing, Kinew said: “I’m like you — I want the best possible vehicle for the lowest possible price. Then we’ll get to work in terms of landing all that investment.” The studies were released as Kinew prepares for the Canada Investment Summit. The September event will draw major global investors, such as banks and sovereign wealth funds, to Toronto. Kinew said he’ll pitch the Port of Churchill Plus plan. The proposed expansion includes an all-weather road, upgraded rail line, new energy corridor and ice-breaking vessels. Shipping challenges to note include a tricky final approach to the port, Fednav’s report says. Vessels must navigate a shallow shoal and narrow channel with several sharp turns. “Until comprehensive simulation-based studies demonstrate otherwise, approaches to the Port of Churchill should only be conducted in open water or minimal ice conditions,” the report says. It calls the approach a “significant, yet potentially manageable operational constraint.” RENAUD PHILIPPE PHOTOThe Port of Churchill is undergoing wharf refacing as part of its multimillion-dollar upgrades. The Port of Churchill is undergoing wharf refacing as part of its multimillion-dollar upgrades. Ice cover on the Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait is “highly dynamic,” Fednav’s report adds. It points to wind, currents and ice circulation — the pressure and deformation often are a “greater operational challenge” than ice thickness alone. “These projects could have really extensive environmental risks … whether that’s impacts on local wildlife or air pollution and noise pollution,” said James Wilt, Climate Action Team Manitoba’s policy manager. Underwater noise, spills from shipping and effects on marine animals were among the preliminary concerns the Arctic Research Foundation identified. “We want an opportunity. We want Churchill to flourish.” “We want an opportunity. We want Churchill to flourish.” Politicians’ tones around the studies’ release Friday were “celebratory, and that’s something we are quite disturbed by given what’s causing this,” Wilt said. Government and decision-makers have a role to play in guarding the environment, Churchill Mayor Mike Spence said. “At the same time, we want an opportunity. We want Churchill to flourish,” he said. “The fact of the matter is, there are strong possibilities.” Year-round shipping is a “prerequisite” for the level of investment needed to move liquefied natural gas through the deepwater port, Kinew said. He estimates an LNG terminal and related infrastructure, including the creation of an offshore port, would cost somewhere between $70 billion and $80 billion. Government can work with First Nations on their environmental concerns, Kinew added. Thirty northern communities have been consulted through the Arctic Research Foundation’s study. Winnipeg Free Press | NewsletterBusiness WeeklyMonday MorningsThe latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week.Sign up for Business WeeklySign UpI consent to theTerms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies.I consent toCASL agreement. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. The Port of Churchill Plus is being examined by the federal government’s Major Projects Office. It hasn’t yet been added to the list of national projects for expediting. Meantime, Arctic Gateway Group has been inking deals to increase shipments through the deep-water hub. The first grain shipment in six years is set for export next week, with potash to follow later this year, Spence said. Manitoba launched a market-sounding study on how the Hudson Bay Railway and port might attract business. Findings haven’t been publicly released. The study concluded in March. gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for theFree Press. She interned at theFree Pressand worked for its sister outlet,Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021.Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of theFree Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more aboutFree Press’s history and mandate, andlearn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please considerbecoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Updated on Friday, August 21, 2026 5:14 PM CDT: Adds edits, second photo

Skip to comments. Posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer Energy Secretary Chris Wrightmet with executivesfrom refining companies on Monday to explore ways the Trump administration could help them boost throughput volumes to help keep America’s gasoline and diesel market fully supplied. The meeting took place in Midland, Texas during an industry conference Wright was attending.Wright and the White House believe an increase in refined volumes could hold the key to lowering prices for gas and diesel at the pump. The administration’s concerns are not surprising given the fact that gasoline prices have stubbornlyremainedabove $4.00/ gallon nationwide amid the ongoing Iran Conflict, adollar higherthan a year ago. Though still a dollar below the highs reached during the Biden autopen years, the current price paradigm could have a significant impact on November’s midterm elections.Wright told reporters that the Department of Energy (DOE) would announce steps later this week it can take to help spur higher throughput even though his own Energy Information Administrationreported last weekthat U.S. refineries have been sustaining unusually high activity levels for months now. Some companies have expressed concerns in recent weeks that the current 96.2% capacity level cannot be sustained for much longer as some refineries are already well past their regular periodic maintenance downtime schedules.It’s hard to see how the feds can spur even higher output levels through this limited refining fleet. Secretary Wright will be looking for short-term measures, like possibly suspending fuel blending requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) haze reduction program. That move would have made even better sense to take in April when refiners are annually forced to switch over to costly summer blends that always raise gas prices at the pump just as summer driving season ramps up.The real enduring problem related to America’s refining industry is that there isn’t enough of it: The U.S. industry hasn’t opened a single new major refinery in almost half a century now. The simple fact is that the United States needs more refineries if it is to keep more of its record, world-leading oil production at home for domestic use instead of having to export three million to five million barrels of the light, sweet crude produced from the Permian Basin every day because there isn’t enough domestic refining capacity to handle it.A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Energy Secretary Chris Wrightmet with executivesfrom refining companies on Monday to explore ways the Trump administration could help them boost throughput volumes to help keep America’s gasoline and diesel market fully supplied. The meeting took place in Midland, Texas during an industry conference Wright was attending.Wright and the White House believe an increase in refined volumes could hold the key to lowering prices for gas and diesel at the pump. The administration’s concerns are not surprising given the fact that gasoline prices have stubbornlyremainedabove $4.00/ gallon nationwide amid the ongoing Iran Conflict, adollar higherthan a year ago. Though still a dollar below the highs reached during the Biden autopen years, the current price paradigm could have a significant impact on November’s midterm elections.Wright told reporters that the Department of Energy (DOE) would announce steps later this week it can take to help spur higher throughput even though his own Energy Information Administrationreported last weekthat U.S. refineries have been sustaining unusually high activity levels for months now. Some companies have expressed concerns in recent weeks that the current 96.2% capacity level cannot be sustained for much longer as some refineries are already well past their regular periodic maintenance downtime schedules.It’s hard to see how the feds can spur even higher output levels through this limited refining fleet. Secretary Wright will be looking for short-term measures, like possibly suspending fuel blending requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) haze reduction program. That move would have made even better sense to take in April when refiners are annually forced to switch over to costly summer blends that always raise gas prices at the pump just as summer driving season ramps up.The real enduring problem related to America’s refining industry is that there isn’t enough of it: The U.S. industry hasn’t opened a single new major refinery in almost half a century now. The simple fact is that the United States needs more refineries if it is to keep more of its record, world-leading oil production at home for domestic use instead of having to export three million to five million barrels of the light, sweet crude produced from the Permian Basin every day because there isn’t enough domestic refining capacity to handle it.A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Wright and the White House believe an increase in refined volumes could hold the key to lowering prices for gas and diesel at the pump. The administration’s concerns are not surprising given the fact that gasoline prices have stubbornlyremainedabove $4.00/ gallon nationwide amid the ongoing Iran Conflict, adollar higherthan a year ago. Though still a dollar below the highs reached during the Biden autopen years, the current price paradigm could have a significant impact on November’s midterm elections.Wright told reporters that the Department of Energy (DOE) would announce steps later this week it can take to help spur higher throughput even though his own Energy Information Administrationreported last weekthat U.S. refineries have been sustaining unusually high activity levels for months now. Some companies have expressed concerns in recent weeks that the current 96.2% capacity level cannot be sustained for much longer as some refineries are already well past their regular periodic maintenance downtime schedules.It’s hard to see how the feds can spur even higher output levels through this limited refining fleet. Secretary Wright will be looking for short-term measures, like possibly suspending fuel blending requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) haze reduction program. That move would have made even better sense to take in April when refiners are annually forced to switch over to costly summer blends that always raise gas prices at the pump just as summer driving season ramps up.The real enduring problem related to America’s refining industry is that there isn’t enough of it: The U.S. industry hasn’t opened a single new major refinery in almost half a century now. The simple fact is that the United States needs more refineries if it is to keep more of its record, world-leading oil production at home for domestic use instead of having to export three million to five million barrels of the light, sweet crude produced from the Permian Basin every day because there isn’t enough domestic refining capacity to handle it.A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Wright told reporters that the Department of Energy (DOE) would announce steps later this week it can take to help spur higher throughput even though his own Energy Information Administrationreported last weekthat U.S. refineries have been sustaining unusually high activity levels for months now. Some companies have expressed concerns in recent weeks that the current 96.2% capacity level cannot be sustained for much longer as some refineries are already well past their regular periodic maintenance downtime schedules.It’s hard to see how the feds can spur even higher output levels through this limited refining fleet. Secretary Wright will be looking for short-term measures, like possibly suspending fuel blending requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) haze reduction program. That move would have made even better sense to take in April when refiners are annually forced to switch over to costly summer blends that always raise gas prices at the pump just as summer driving season ramps up.The real enduring problem related to America’s refining industry is that there isn’t enough of it: The U.S. industry hasn’t opened a single new major refinery in almost half a century now. The simple fact is that the United States needs more refineries if it is to keep more of its record, world-leading oil production at home for domestic use instead of having to export three million to five million barrels of the light, sweet crude produced from the Permian Basin every day because there isn’t enough domestic refining capacity to handle it.A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson It’s hard to see how the feds can spur even higher output levels through this limited refining fleet. Secretary Wright will be looking for short-term measures, like possibly suspending fuel blending requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) haze reduction program. That move would have made even better sense to take in April when refiners are annually forced to switch over to costly summer blends that always raise gas prices at the pump just as summer driving season ramps up.The real enduring problem related to America’s refining industry is that there isn’t enough of it: The U.S. industry hasn’t opened a single new major refinery in almost half a century now. The simple fact is that the United States needs more refineries if it is to keep more of its record, world-leading oil production at home for domestic use instead of having to export three million to five million barrels of the light, sweet crude produced from the Permian Basin every day because there isn’t enough domestic refining capacity to handle it.A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson The real enduring problem related to America’s refining industry is that there isn’t enough of it: The U.S. industry hasn’t opened a single new major refinery in almost half a century now. The simple fact is that the United States needs more refineries if it is to keep more of its record, world-leading oil production at home for domestic use instead of having to export three million to five million barrels of the light, sweet crude produced from the Permian Basin every day because there isn’t enough domestic refining capacity to handle it.A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson A single new greenfield refinery is under construction today byAmerica First Refiningat the Port of Brownsville, Texas. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the America First Refinery will have an initial capacity to process up to 168,000 barrels of light, sweet crude per day. As substantial as that is, it puts only a small dent in the overall magnitude of the capacity shortage.Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Make no mistake about it, building new refineries is not remotely a short-term solution.In an interview in March, AFR CEO John Calce told me just obtaining the mandatory air quality permit under the Clean Air Act consumed a full seven years for a facility that will take less than 3 years to construct. That’s a regulatory roadblock which has discouraged many other potential refinery projects since 1979.Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Wright’s push also comes amid a trend among big shale producers to trim back on drilling budgets in favor of allocating capital to stock buybacks and other returns to investors. That also is not surprising given that it has been the prevailing operational model for shale producers since at least 2019, asIrina Slav points outin a story at Oilprice.com.No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson No one should doubt Wright’s contentionduring a Monday interviewthat the Permian Basin and other shale basins are capable of further increasing production of both oil and natural gas. The main variable in that equation is the willingness of the companies doing most of the drilling to allocate capital to meet that goal.Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Most big oil-producing countries source most of their oil through a national oil company like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco that is responsive to government edicts and needs. But in the United States, oil and gas are drilled, produced, and refined by hundreds of privately held companies executing on their own discreet business plans.Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry.TOPICS:Business/Economy;SocietyKEYWORDS:oilproduction;oilrefineries;usenergyClick here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you.Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastThis has been an ongoing topic in the Sunday Morning News Shows threads for a long time. While I've advocated that Big Oil could throttle back on profiteering until the mid-terms are over to insure their interests aren't threatened by a Democrat majority I'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.1posted on08/21/2026 10:34:21 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer[Post Reply|Private Reply|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerCalling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone...2posted on08/21/2026 10:37:32 AM PDTbyResolute Conservative[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.3posted on08/21/2026 10:37:52 AM PDTbydljordan(Where's the rest of the Epstein files hmmmm?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:Resolute ConservativeDoh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔4posted on08/21/2026 10:39:31 AM PDTbyrktman(Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 2|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerWon’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed:“Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.”And:“As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.”No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal.5posted on08/21/2026 10:44:42 AM PDTbyBon of Babble(You Say You Want a Revolution?)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI'm told that pressure from their stockholders puts their short-term gains above what's best for the industry and the nation.The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California.6posted on08/21/2026 10:52:28 AM PDTbyPAR35[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordan“stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.”Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.——————————————Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal.What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.7posted on08/21/2026 10:53:30 AM PDTbygeorgiarat(We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. William Faulkner )[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:Alas Babylon!; rodguy911; bray; kabar; Nekman; GOPJFor your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades.As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project.8posted on08/21/2026 10:55:11 AM PDTbyMikelTackNailer(Anger is my energy.)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerDemocrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER!9posted on08/21/2026 11:00:26 AM PDTbypackrat35(“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 8|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailer...AND more insane asylums.10posted on08/21/2026 11:00:48 AM PDTbyDemocrat = party of treason[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerMore Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices.11posted on08/21/2026 11:02:44 AM PDTbyVaduz(NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you.If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine.So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.”I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world.None of this is going to change any time soon.12posted on08/21/2026 11:05:13 AM PDTbyVermont Lt[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerYes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada.13posted on08/21/2026 11:05:28 AM PDTbypoinq[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:dljordanWhy should a business do anything other then seek itself interests?If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it.14posted on08/21/2026 11:12:25 AM PDTbySPDSHDW(A sinner saved by Jesus)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 3|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse.15posted on08/21/2026 11:16:23 AM PDTbyDa Coyote[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerI am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference16posted on08/21/2026 11:26:12 AM PDTbyBOBWADE(God Bless America)[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:MikelTackNailerFinally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues.To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved.—But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense.—Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us.Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart.All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster-17posted on08/21/2026 11:38:19 AM PDTbyRed6[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 1|View Replies]To:georgiaratYou have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money.It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this.In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies.So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran.18posted on08/21/2026 12:34:08 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 7|View Replies]To:Vermont LtSadly, that’s true.19posted on08/21/2026 12:36:04 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 12|View Replies]To:Red6Good points. On this, we are in close agreement.I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany...I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively...20posted on08/21/2026 12:44:43 PM PDTbyPaul R.(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))[Post Reply|Private Reply|To 17|View Replies]Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Thus, persuasive though Mr. Wright certainly is, persuasion is really the only tool he and the White House possess to wring more throughput out of America’s already stressed refining industry. Click here:to donate by Credit CardOr here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you. Or here:to donate by PayPalOr by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you. Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794Thank you very much and God bless you. Thank you very much and God bless you. Calling Captain Obvious, pick up the white courtesy phone... “stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.” Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist. Doh! Why didn’t i think of that? 🤔 Won’t be discussed in California - where two refineries are being - or have been closed: “Phillips 66 and Valero are closing two major California refineries, eliminating approximately 17-20% of the state’s total refining capacity.” And: “As of 2026, California has 11 operating oil refineries, a significant decline from 13 in early 2025 and 40 in the 1980s.” No wonder gas is $5.49/gallon as of this morning in So Cal. The problem is that the boards are now controlled by the 'international bankers' stock traders out for short term gains, instead of investors with a long horizon.But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California. But the immediate problem is caused by oil companies having to close refineries due to anti-oil laws and policies in California. “stockholders puts their short-term gains above what’s best for the industry and the nation.” Every time and if you complain you’re anti-capitalist.—————————————— Without incentives, that is usually the case. The primary purpose of corporate leadership is to enhance stockholder value. Unfortunately, some executive compensation plans run counter to that goal. What is the purpose of building more refineries if the refined products are simply shipped overseas for the highest profit? We need incentives so the United States benefits more by keeping petroleum-based products priced at an advantage for U.S. businesses and individual consumers. We could also require that a percentage of overseas oil be sold at a discount to the U.S. to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. For your perusal. President Trump’s got to ditch appeals to their humanity and get out-dated regulations cut to reinvigorate our fuel industry. What the article didn’t address is how we’re set up to process our own heavy crude without the means to process other grades. As these massive plants take years to get online it’s imperative that they get moving before the Democrats manage it as well as they have California’s high speed rail project. Democrats and NIMBYs will never allow another refinery to be built in the US again EVER! ...AND more insane asylums. More Refineries = Higher efficiency = Lower prices. I worked in the board room of a publicly traded bank. (I was a back bencher, but my eyes were opened.). The pressure from Wall Street to “hit the analysts numbers” is insane. And the analysts don’t always know your business as well as you. If you don’t hit your numbers they will tank your stock price. That kills your bonuses AND it opens the company up to take-overs/sales. It’s more high stress than most people can imagine. So, yeah…all publicly traded companies care about the next report. It is rare to be able to “manage the street.” I have some “radical” ideas of why this happens, but the reality is that millions of people have handed their life savings over to fund managers who only care about beating the S&P this year. In the olden days, that was limited to a much smaller group of pension managers who understood the business world. None of this is going to change any time soon. Yes, the number of refineries is like the number of nuclear power stations. We could use more but most people don’t like them in their back yard. That being said California is closing theirs. So others could pick up the slack and charge California top dollar for the gas. Remember though, refineries make plastic, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel as well as gas. And you likely need to have the refinery in Nevada. Why should a business do anything other then seek itself interests? If we want more refineries for the good of the country, the feds need to incentivize it or own it. I propose that we sacrifice 1,000,000 leftists to the refinery gods for each new refinery that we are granted.We get a refineries by flushing refuse. I am surprised that there is not been a national emergency declared with domestic oil production and refining capabilities. Perhaps use some of the closed military faces to allow for new refineries and production free from interference Finally there is some attention given to the idea that certain manufacturing, energy, petroleum oil and lubricants, rare earth minerals, certain key enabling technologies are a national security issues. To Ted Cruz’s credit, he was one of the few in Congress that was pressing the alarm button over a decade ago: (an example from 6 years ago)https://www.reuters.com/article/business/aiming-to-thwart-china-us-senator-pushes-rare-earths-funding-bill-idUSKBN22P0C7/ Trade is great. Not saying that tongue in cheek. Economy of scale and greater specialization creates more wealth for all involved. —But trade needs to be fair, not lop sides to where US manufacturing is bled to death as China industrializes (early on) at our expense. —Also this trade CANNOT allow certain key technologies and manufacturing capacities, energy, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and key minerals, to go lost ESPECIALLY to a nation that is hostile to us. Real world case: The US imports 80% of rare earth minerals we use. 70% of those imported come from China. Rare earth is used in advanced batteries, lasers (even for defense), semi conductors and other electronics, magnets and advanced electric motors... Even fiber optic wire has rare earth used in it’s manufacture.https://econofact.org/can-the-u-s-reduce-its-reliance-on-imported-rare-earth-elementsBeing dependent on something that critical, from someone hostile towards you, isn’t smart. All our MSM does is peddle off pro Democrat trash, they do not report and their analysis isn’t worth shit. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had been in a conflict with Iran like today but in 2012?https://wolfstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/us-crude-oil-03-03-2026-imports-OPEC-Saudi-Russia.pngInstead of exporting oil and in net easing some of the pressure from Hormuz like today, we would have been ourselves dependent on this oil!!! Disaster- You have part of it backwards: The purpose of building more refineries is to significantly increase global supply of refined products, driving the price down while making the USA a lot of money. It is true new refineries could be built to more efficiently process our light shale oil, but it is also important to remember that refined products includes huge quantities of products other than fuel for vehicles. Shale oil isn’t so great if you need, say, asphalt. Pushing hard to get heavy crude production up, from Venezuela, is a very very important part of all this. In fact, IF it looks like Venezuela can be kept stable, even refineries in Venezuela, which might be a faster route to getting production from heavy crude increased quickly, due to (I would assume) less environmental regs’ hurdles, could be a win both for Venezuela and us: Income for them, and lower global prices for refined products, overall. This helps counter interruptions elsewhere, such as the rather impressive collection of attacks the Ukies are whacking the Russians with now, or the nasty problems with terrorist Iran and their terrorist proxies. So long as we want to keep this a (mostly) free market, the goal should be to increase global supply to keep global refined products prices down. The more we can do it here, the better, but all viable options should be pressed. That also gives us some room to maneuver when it comes to geo-political concerns, such as “taking care of business” with Iran. Sadly, that’s true. Good points. On this, we are in close agreement. I wonder what that oil imports graph looks like for countries like France, the UK, and Germany... I suppose Venezuela is included in OPEC in that graph, but, effectively... Navigation:use the links below to view more comments.first1-20,21-30nextlastDisclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.Free RepublicBrowse·SearchGeneral/ChatTopics·Post ArticleFreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson Disclaimer:Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Nessuna ricerca recente Scarica subito il nostro Rapporto mondiale sulla qualità dell’aria 2025! Nessuna ricerca recente Attribuzione dei dati 60* Moderata Inquinante principale: PM2.5 14µg/m³ 23° 10 km/h 49 % Attribuzione dei dati Previsione dell'indice di qualità dell'aria (AQI⁺) di Abaete Ora 60 23° 10 km/h 49% 01:00 60 22° 10 km/h 51% 02:00 59 21° 9 km/h 54% 03:00 58 21° 9 km/h 54% 04:00 58 21° 9 km/h 55% 05:00 58 20° 9 km/h 56% 06:00 58 19° 9 km/h 58% 07:00 58 20° 9 km/h 55% 08:00 57 23° 13 km/h 45% 09:00 58 26° 12 km/h 38% 10:00 58 28° 12 km/h 32% 11:00 57 30° 10 km/h 27% 12:00 58 32° 8 km/h 24% 13:00 56 32° 9 km/h 23% 14:00 55 33° 9 km/h 21% 15:00 54 33° 6 km/h 21% 16:00 53 33° 11 km/h 21% 17:00 53 32° 9 km/h 23% 18:00 53 29° 7 km/h 25% 19:00 53 27° 7 km/h 30% 20:00 54 26° 6 km/h 32% 21:00 55 26° 1 km/h 30% 22:00 54 26° 8 km/h 31% 23:00 54 23° 10 km/h 37% dom 00:00 54 22° 12 km/h 39% 01:00 54 22° 10 km/h 43% 02:00 54 21° 9 km/h 48% 03:00 55 20° 10 km/h 51% 04:00 55 19° 9 km/h 61% 05:00 55 18° 9 km/h 69% 06:00 56 18° 8 km/h 76% 07:00 56 18° 5 km/h 75% 08:00 56 21° 8 km/h 67% 09:00 57 24° 10 km/h 56% 10:00 55 26° 9 km/h 47% 11:00 53 28° 9 km/h 41% 12:00 51 30° 10 km/h 35% 13:00 50 31° 10 km/h 31% 14:00 50 32° 9 km/h 27% 15:00 50 32° 11 km/h 26% 16:00 49 32° 14 km/h 26% 17:00 49 70% 29° 10 km/h 36% 18:00 49 27° 12 km/h 39% 19:00 48 26° 12 km/h 43% 20:00 47 26° 11 km/h 44% 21:00 47 25° 13 km/h 47% 22:00 50 24° 11 km/h 51% 23:00 53 22° 3 km/h 58% lun 00:00 57 22° 3 km/h 59% 01:00 57 21° 1 km/h 60% 02:00 57 21° 9 km/h 61% 03:00 58 21° 6 km/h 62% 04:00 56 20° 7 km/h 63% 05:00 54 20° 7 km/h 68% 06:00 52 19° 4 km/h 70% 07:00 52 20° 5 km/h 69% 08:00 53 23° 7 km/h 60% 09:00 54 24° 7 km/h 53% 10:00 54 26° 6 km/h 48% 11:00 55 29° 7 km/h 39% 12:00 56 31° 6 km/h 34% 13:00 56 32° 6 km/h 30% 14:00 56 33° 3 km/h 26% 15:00 57 33° 9 km/h 24% 16:00 56 33° 12 km/h 24% 17:00 55 32° 11 km/h 25% 18:00 54 29° 10 km/h 28% 19:00 54 29° 11 km/h 29% 20:00 55 27° 8 km/h 33% 21:00 56 26° 2 km/h 33% 22:00 57 25° 15 km/h 38% 23:00 58 24° 18 km/h 50% Previsione dell'indice di qualità dell'aria (AQI⁺) di Abaete 57 33° 19° 13 km/h 32% 54 32° 18° 14 km/h 45% 55 33° 19° 15 km/h 39% Qual è l'attuale qualità dell'aria a Abaete? La concentrazione diPM2.5è attualmente2.8volte il valore guida annuale di PM2.5 indicato dall'OMS. Consigli per la salute I gruppi sensibili dovrebbero ridurre l'esercizio all'aperto Chiudi le finestre per evitare l'aria esterna sporca I gruppi sensibili dovrebbero indossare una maschera all'aperto I gruppi sensibili dovrebbero utilizzare un purificatore d'aria Consigli per la salute I gruppi sensibili dovrebbero ridurre l'esercizio all'aperto Chiudi le finestre per evitare l'aria esterna sporca I gruppi sensibili dovrebbero indossare una maschera all'aperto I gruppi sensibili dovrebbero utilizzare un purificatore d'aria IQAir AirVisual app Rimani aggiornato sulla qualità dell'aria dei tuoi luoghi preferiti IQAir Earth Mappa dell'inquinamento atmosferico animata in 3D in tempo reale Implementa la tua stazione Acquista un monitor e fornisci dati sulla qualità dell'aria della tua città. Ricevi nella tua casella di posta elettronica articoli esclusivi, aggiornamenti sui prodotti, consigli e offerte occasionali. Puoi annullare l'iscrizione in qualsiasi momento.

Nelle ultime due settimane le emissioni causate dagli incendi boschivi sono aumentate in modo significativo in alcune regioni; in Indonesia è iniziata la stagione degli incendi, la cui intensità è accentuata dal fenomeno di El Niño. Dai roghi in Nord America (Canada e Usa) e in Eurasia si sono propagate dense colonne di fumo in tutto l'emisfero settentrionale, raggiungendo anche l'Artico, dove si sono registrati livelli di emissioni ben superiori alla media stagionale. Nel frattempo, nell'Europa occidentale – dopo i devastanti incendi che hanno colpito Francia e Spagna – roghi di intensità senza precedenti per tali latitudini hanno distrutto migliaia di ettari, in particolare in Belgio e nella Germania occidentale. Incendi di rilievo sono stati segnalati anche in Grecia, nei Balcani e nella penisola iberica (videoanimazione: ECMW)

Ogni estate le fiamme che divorano boschi e macchia mediterranea tornano nelle cronache. Ma quando un incendio viene domato, il pericolo non finisce. Resta nell’aria, nei suoli, negli ecosistemi e nella salute delle persone. Gli incendi boschivi non sono più soltanto un’emergenza ambientale, ma una questione sanitaria, climatica e sociale. Il fumo prodotto dalla combustione della vegetazione è una miscela complessa di gas e particelle. Contiene anidride carbonica, monossido di carbonio, ossidi di azoto, composti organici volatili e idrocarburi policiclici aromatici. A destare particolare preoccupazione è il particolato, soprattutto il PM2.5, costituito da particelle così piccole da raggiungere le porzioni più profonde dell’apparato respiratorio. Una quota può superare la barriera polmonare, entrare nel sangue e contribuire a processi infiammatori in altri organi. La letteratura scientifica è sempre più solida. L’esposizione al fumo degli incendi aumenta crisi asmatiche, bronchiti e ricoveri per problemi respiratori. Le evidenze riguardano anche il sistema cardiovascolare, con un incremento del rischio di eventi acuti soprattutto nelle persone fragili. Studi recenti hanno inoltre osservato associazioni con mortalità prematura e, durante la gravidanza, con esiti avversi come la nascita pretermine. Bambini, anziani, donne in gravidanza e persone con patologie respiratorie o cardiache sono i più vulnerabili, ma nessuno è immune. Il fumo, inoltre, non conosce confini. Le masse d’aria possono trasportare particelle e inquinanti per centinaia o persino migliaia di chilometri, peggiorando la qualità dell’aria lontano dalle fiamme. È accaduto più volte in Nord America e in Europa. Un incendio nato in un’area rurale può quindi diventare in poche ore un problema di salute pubblica anche molto lontano dalle fiamme. Il 2026 ricorda quanto il fenomeno rimanga rilevante. Secondo il Joint Research Centre, al 12 agosto nell’Unione europea erano già bruciati oltre 567 mila ettari, più del doppio della media di lungo periodo riferita allo stesso momento dell’anno. Il dato resta inferiore al 2025, ma segnala comunque una stagione severa. Siccità, ondate di calore e vegetazione arida possono favorire la propagazione delle fiamme, specie insieme a comportamenti umani negligenti o dolosi. Gli incendi alimentano anche un circolo vizioso climatico. Le foreste sono grandi serbatoi di carbonio e, quando bruciano, una parte del carbonio accumulato nella biomassa viene rilasciata in atmosfera. Al tempo stesso si riduce temporaneamente la capacità dell’ecosistema di assorbire CO2. Il peso climatico varia con vegetazione, severità del fuoco e capacità di rigenerazione. Tuttavia temperature elevate e periodi siccitosi aumentano il rischio, mentre incendi ripetuti e intensi possono indebolire la resilienza degli ecosistemi. Le conseguenze sulla biodiversità sono profonde. Alcuni animali muoiono, altri perdono rifugi, siti riproduttivi e fonti di cibo. Insetti impollinatori, piccoli mammiferi, rettili e uccelli possono vedere alterate per anni le condizioni necessarie alla sopravvivenza. Anche il suolo paga un prezzo elevato. La perdita di sostanza organica e copertura vegetale riduce la capacità di trattenere l’acqua e può aumentare erosione e instabilità dei versanti. Dopo incendi severi, una pioggia intensa può così trasformarsi in un secondo evento critico. Quanto tempo serve a un bosco per tornare come prima? La domanda è semplice, la risposta no. Gli ecosistemi mediterranei sono in parte adattati al fuoco e molte specie possiedono strategie di rigenerazione efficaci. Ma recuperare una copertura verde non significa ricostruire la complessità ecologica precedente. La vegetazione può tornare presto, mentre struttura forestale, suolo, biodiversità e funzioni ecosistemiche possono richiedere decenni. Se gli incendi diventano troppo frequenti o intensi, il sistema può imboccare una traiettoria diversa e trasformarsi stabilmente, per esempio da bosco a macchia o arbusteto. Per questo non basta intervenire quando le fiamme sono già divampate. La difesa comincia prima, con la gestione attiva del territorio, la manutenzione delle aree forestali, il monitoraggio, la pianificazione delle fasce di protezione, il controllo delle attività a rischio e il contrasto agli incendi dolosi. Servono anche sistemi di allerta sanitaria che integrino meteo e qualità dell’aria. Nei giorni di forte presenza di fumo è prudente limitare l’attività fisica all’aperto, soprattutto per le persone vulnerabili, e seguire le indicazioni delle autorità sanitarie. La prevenzione più efficace resta strutturale. Significa adattare città e territori a un clima che cambia, proteggere e gestire il patrimonio forestale, ridurre le emissioni climalteranti e investire nella cultura del rischio. Un bosco non è soltanto un insieme di alberi. È un’infrastruttura naturale che regola il clima locale, protegge il suolo e l’acqua, sostiene la biodiversità e contribuisce al benessere collettivo. Ogni ettaro salvato dalle fiamme ha quindi un valore che va ben oltre il paesaggio. Significa meno inquinamento, meno rischio sanitario, più biodiversità, maggiore sicurezza idrogeologica e una migliore capacità di adattamento al cambiamento climatico. Difendere le foreste significa, in definitiva, difendere la salute umana. Oggi non è più soltanto una sensibilità ambientalista, ma una conclusione coerente con ciò che la scienza continua a mostrarci.

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced over$31 millionin funding for projects that improve the flow of traffic and air quality.The state secured the funding from the federalCongestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. The program provides funding to state and local governments for transportation projects that help meet requirements under the Clean Air Act.The funding will support 13 projects that include construction of multi-use bike trails, replacing outdated diesel buses and other improvements. In astatement, Evers said protecting the environment and ensuring reliable roads and infrastructure have been priorities of his administration. “I’m jazzed that these investments are making it easier for folks to travel throughout these communities while contributing to our efforts to improve air quality across the state,” Evers said.The program funds transportation projects that cut back on vehicle emissions in areas that arenot meeting or previously did not meet federal air quality standardsfor ozone, carbon monoxide and fine particle pollution. Projects that are eligible for funding include electric vehicles and charging stations, replacement of diesel engines, transit improvements, bicycle and pedestrian trails and more.The funded projects in Wisconsin include replacement of 30 diesel buses, optimizing traffic signals at 30 intersections and increasing awareness of public transit in Milwaukee County. They also include creation of a new multi-purpose trail in the town of Gibraltar in Door County, as well as other transit or traffic improvements in Milwaukee and Waukesha County. The federal program provides 80 percent in cost-share assistance for communities with eligible transportation projects. WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter. The program funds projects across eligible counties in northeastern and southeastern Wisconsin. More information on additional rounds of funding will be released next summer. Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

Da alcuni mesi gli abitanti di Valdellora segnalano rumori sempre più frequenti e insistenti provenienti dal deposito ferroviario, in particolare durante le manovre dei convogli merci. Alcuni residenti hanno inviato Pec a Rfi e presentato segnalazioni attraverso la piattaforma del Comune, chiedendo che venga verificata la situazione. Ma a oggi non hanno ricevuto risposta. A raccontare il problema a CDS è un abitante della zona, residente a Valdellora da decenni, che sottolinea di non aver mai avuto motivo di lamentarsi in precedenza. “Vivo a Valdellora dal 1981 e non mi sono mai lamentato di niente. Ma ora i rumori prodotti dai convogli merci in manovra sono diventati insostenibili”. Nei mesi scorsi una parte dei disagi era stata ricondotta a lavori sulla linea ferroviaria, con l’impiego di compressori, martelli pneumatici e altre attrezzature. Terminati quei lavori, però, il problema non sarebbe scomparso. “I rumori delle manovre hanno continuato a esserci e sono molto fastidiosi”, racconta il residente. Nei mesi scorsi la rumorosità del traffico ferroviario era stata sollevata da chi vive nei pressi della potenziata stazione di Migliarina. Oggi le lamentele arrivano dall’altra parte della linea, con l’obiettivo di sollecitare il Comune affinché venga installata una centralina Arpal per la rilevazione del rumore, così da poter misurare i livelli medi e verificare il rispetto dei limiti previsti dalla normativa. Il problema si presenta soprattutto nelle ore notturne, tra le 23 e le 4. Le manovre dei convogli sarebbero infatti una costante delle sere e delle notti, con rumori che arrivano nelle abitazioni e interrompono il sonno. Una situazione particolarmente pesante per chi deve alzarsi molto presto per andare al lavoro. È il caso dello stesso residente che ha segnalato il problema, autista di mezzi pubblici, che deve svegliarsi alle 4.30. “Ci sono volte in cui si va a lavorare senza aver praticamente dormito. Mentre mia moglie è costretta a prendere dei sonniferi”, racconta. Tra le ipotesi avanzate dagli abitanti c’è anche quella di un possibile legame con l’aumento del traffico ferroviario legato al porto. Alcuni tecnici interpellati dai cittadini avrebbero associato l’incremento dei rumori al picco del traffico portuale e alla maggiore attività dei convogli merci. I residenti segnalano infatti quello che, a loro avviso, potrebbe essere un aumento della composizione dei convogli portuali all’interno del deposito di Valdellora, anche in relazione ai lavori attualmente in corso per lo spostamento dei binari. Si tratta, al momento, di ipotesi formulate dagli abitanti, che chiedono però che l’eventuale aumento del traffico ferroviario e le sue conseguenze sul piano acustico vengano verificati. A indispettire i residenti sono anche le caratteristiche dei locomotori diesel utilizzati per il trasporto merci, considerati particolarmente datati. Secondo quanto riferito agli abitanti, questi mezzi non verrebbero sostituiti semplicemente in base agli anni di servizio, ma alle ore di utilizzo. E poiché sarebbero impiegati soprattutto per un numero limitato di ore durante la notte, per la formazione e la movimentazione dei convogli, potrebbero rimanere in servizio ancora per molti anni. Da qui una domanda che i cittadini intendono porre anche sul piano ambientale: “Perché i cittadini devono rispettare alcune norme imposte dall’amministrazione comunale, come il divieto di circolazione delle auto Euro 4 in alcune zone della città, mentre i vettori ferroviari e i gestori della linea ferroviaria no?”. E il riferimento è, appunto, ai locomotori diesel ritenuti obsoleti sia sotto il profilo delle emissioni sia sotto quello dell’inquinamento acustico. Gli abitanti segnalano inoltre un altro elemento che, a loro avviso, potrebbe aver modificato la situazione nel corso degli anni: la sostituzione delle traversine in legno con quelle in cemento, dopo la quale il rumore percepito sarebbe aumentato. Il residente che ha sollevato la questione è ora alla ricerca di altre persone della zona che abbiano effettuato segnalazioni alla Polizia locale, al Comune o ad altri enti e istituzioni. L’obiettivo è quello di fare un fronte comune che possa fare maggiore pressione per la ricerca della soluzione del problema.

Con l'ok della Regione Emilia-Romagna al progetto dell'hub urbano ‘Destinazione Ravenna centro’ e relativi interventi previsti in città su alcuni degli importanti assi viari, si torna a discutere di viabilità. In particolare, a proporre una modifica all'attuale disciplina della circolazione su viale Pallavicini è il capogruppo di Forza Italia, Alberto Ancarani. “Con l'approvazione di questo progetto verranno adottate alcune modifiche alla disciplina della circolazione in via di Roma, in particolare nel tratto tra via Carducci-Mariani e via Alberoni-Guaccimanni – spiega Ancarani –. Una scelta che allontanerà da una zona di particolare pregio ulteriori veicoli in quanto la carreggiata sarà ridotta ad una sola corsia di circolazione con direzione nord, prevedendo lo spostamento dei veicoli autorizzati che oggi possono percorrere via di Roma in direzione sud, in una corsia ad essi riservata di viale Pallavicini”. Per questa ragione il consigliere comunale chiede una revisione della disciplina della circolazione. “Viale Pallavicini rappresenta un collegamento essenziale nella rete viaria urbana e costituisce, per posizione e caratteristiche, una naturale direttrice alternativa e complementare rispetto a via di Roma, nonché una via di accesso e uscita dalla zona della stazione – insiste il consigliere –. Una regolazione della circolazione che preveda il doppio senso solo in apparenza, riservando una delle due corsie esclusivamente ai veicoli autorizzati, non risolverebbe gli annosi problemi che la chiusura di via di Roma ai non autorizzati ha nel tempo fatto aumentare né garantirebbe una reale funzionalità dell’asse viario non offrendo una risposta adeguata alle esigenze di mobilità della generalità dei cittadini. Bisogna evitare che le modifiche conseguenti all’hub urbano si traducano in ulteriori limitazioni, deviazioni obbligate, allungamenti dei percorsi e disagi per residenti, lavoratori, utenti della stazione, esercizi commerciali, attività ricettive, professionisti e mezzi di servizio. La sostenibilità ambientale e la promozione della mobilità dolce devono essere perseguite attraverso soluzioni tecnicamente equilibrate, verificabili e compatibili con l’effettiva accessibilità della città, senza introdurre assetti viari penalizzanti o inutilmente restrittivi”. “Una configurazione di viale Pallavicini a doppio senso effettivo, con entrambe le corsie aperte alla libera circolazione, consentirebbe una più razionale redistribuzione del traffico conseguente alle modifiche previste in via di Roma, accorciando i percorsi degli automobilisti e diminuendo in ultima analisi le emissioni inquinanti – conclude Ancarani –. Per queste ragioni chiediamo al sindaco e alla giunta di prevedere nell’ambito dell’attuazione del progetto di hub urbano e delle conseguenti modifiche alla circolazione in via di Roma, il ripristino e il mantenimento del doppio senso di marcia effettivo in viale Pallavicini”. ScegliRavennaTodaycome fonte preferita su Google News Leggi tutte leinchieste e gli approfondimenti Vuoi navigaresenza pubblicità? Scopri come fare Per muoverti con i mezzi pubblici e in sharing nella città diRavennausa la nostra Partner App gratuita! © Riproduzione riservata

I cittadini italiani sono molto preoccupati dalla crisi climatica, lo confermano tutti i sondaggi. Quello che il WWF, insieme al Movimento Laudato Si’ e ad associazioni civiche diffuse sul territorio, con il supporto scientifico del CMCC e quello media di Green&Blue, sta chiedendo loro, e lo farà sino a metà settembre, è qual sia l’effetto sulla loro vita quotidiana, come cercano di difendersi e se lo Stato e gli strumenti di supporto privato (assicurazioni) offrono un aiuto reale. Molto più che un’indagine statistica, quindi, è il primo tentativo in Italia di comprendere quali siano i tasselli necessari e quelli mancanti per far fronte alla crisi climatica, ma con gli occhi delle persone e delle comunità. Per partecipare, e vi invitiamo caldamente a farlo qui. Oggi, in piena “costante di calore” – altro che ondate! - si parla di omertà climatica, secondo l’efficace definizione data in un editoriale da Nicola Armaroli, dirigente di ricerca del CNR e direttore della prestigiosa rivista scientifica Sapere. La crisi climatica morde in modo sempre più feroce, colpendo in molti modi la vita dei cittadini e delle comunità, ma sui media, specie sui TG, se ne parla poco e, soprattutto, se ne parla in pezzi di colore, mai legati a interventi concreti presi o da prendere da parte della politica. Gli stessi servizi mandati in onda non sono quasi mai informativi, ma vanno dalla mera cronaca (incendi, frane, piogge estreme, ecc.) al racconto delle sensazioni e delle non soluzioni – “Fa caldo? Tutti al mare!” - arrivando ad attribuire indirettamente alla natura la responsabilità – il rifugio sull’Adamello è diventato pericoloso e va chiuso per via della fusione dei ghiacciai e del permafrost? “La natura ha voluto così”. Cattiva informazione, quindi, e nessuna indicazione delle cause (l’uso dei combustibili fossili), nessuno spirito di servizio per cercare di limitare i danni immediati, nessuno spirito di servizio nel cercare di capire cosa sta facendo e cosa può fare i decisori politici pro tempore. Di destra e di sinistra, i danni del cambiamento climatico riguardano tutto e tutti. Cosa intendiamo per informazione di servizio? Quella che pone il cittadino, non le compatibilità politiche ed economiche, al centro. Gli incendi, per esempio, possono essere di origine dolosa o accidentale, ma l’innesco ha gli effetti che vediamo per via dell’enorme disponibilità di “carburante” (vegetazione secca per via della siccità) e delle condizioni climatiche. E le vittime non sono solo quelle che periscono per via del fuoco o coloro che perdono beni materiali e proprietà: la prestigiosa rivista medica The Lancet sottolinea che gli incendi boschivi rilasciano una miscela di sostanze inquinanti nocive per la salute (particolato, monossido di carbonio, ossidi di azoto e composti organici volatili che possono aumentare la mortalità, i ricoveri ospedalieri, le malattie respiratorie e cardiovascolari, nonché gli esiti avversi della gravidanza. L’esposizione al fumo degli incendi boschivi è stata persino collegata a effetti negativi sulle funzioni cognitive. I decessi attribuibili al solo inquinamento atmosferico da PM2·5 derivante dagli incendi boschivi hanno raggiunto il livello record di 154 000 nel 2024, con un aumento del 36% rispetto alla media del periodo 2003–12. È utile che i cittadini siano informati? Sì, sia per riconoscere i danni indiretti e profondi della crisi climatica, sia per assumere misure di profilassi. Ma parliamo anche di un’informazione di base totalmente carente: nemmeno la app clima e salute del Ministero della Salute, per esempio, dice ai cittadini come riconoscere il pericolosissimo colpo di calore o quali siano le terapie che vanno riviste dal medico in presenza di caldo estremo. Proprio per questo, come WWF e insieme a tanti altri partner, abbiamo voluto metterci “al servizio” dei cittadini: speriamo in molti ci daranno il loro aiuto. *Mariagrazia Midulla, Responsabile Clima ed Energia WWF Italia

En los últimos veinte años,Chileha registrado una mejoría notoria en lacalidad del aire, aunque persisten desigualdades entre regiones. Un análisis del 2025, publicado en la revista Atmosphere y desarrollado por la Universidad de Chile, el Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia (CR2), el Ministerio del Medio Ambiente y la Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD), revela que, a pesar de los avances en lareducción de contaminantescomo elmaterial particulado fino(PM2.5), las brechas ambientales siguen siendo una preocupación relevante en el sur y en ciertas zonas industriales. PUBLICIDAD El informe advierte que, en el sur chileno, el uso intensivo de leña húmeda continúa siendo la principal causa decontaminación atmosférica. Al respecto, Kevin Basoa, del CR2, explicó que la regulación sobre leña aún no se implementa de manera plena en la región y que este combustible es parte de la identidad de muchas comunidades, lo cual dificulta el avance. Además, factores geográficos y laestabilidad atmosféricaasociada al Pacífico impiden la adecuada dispersión de contaminantes. Por otro lado, las llamadas“zonas de sacrificio”en el norte y centro del país presentan un problema persistente. Si bien los valores generales de SO₂ han descendido, episodios agudos de contaminación todavía se registran, en especial en localidades como Coronel y Talcahuano. PUBLICIDAD Ante este panorama, te dejamos a continuación el estado de la calidad del aire este 20 de agosto de 2026 enPuerto Varas: La calidad del aire enPuerto Varases hoy buena, según los registros de contaminantes. Con un nivel de MP 2,5 de 12 µg∕m3 y un Índice de Calidad del Aire (ICAP) de 24, la situación ambiental se presenta favorable para los habitantes de la región. PUBLICIDAD A pesar de la ausencia de otros datos específicos sobre agentes contaminantes, el estado actual del aire indica que no hay niveles preocupantes que puedan impactar significativamente la salud pública en el día de hoy. Esto sugiere que la población puede disfrutar de actividades al aire libre sin mayores inconvenientes, contribuyendo al bienestar general de la comunidad. Restricciones en estado "bueno" Calefacción: prohibición de uso de calefactores a leña (excepto pellets) en la provincia de Santiago y las comunas de San Bernardo y Puente Alto. Control de humos visibles a calefactores. Automóvil: restricción permanente a vehículos sin sello verde al interior del Anillo Américo Vespucio y restricción de cuatro dígitos fuera del Anillo Américo Vespucio, de lunes a viernes. Restricción permanente a vehículos con sello verde (dos dígitos), inscritos antes del 1 de septiembre de 2011, de lunes a viernes. PUBLICIDAD Motocicletas: restricción permanente a motos (dos dígitos), inscritas antes del 1 de septiembre de 2010, de lunes a viernes. Camiones: restricción a transporte de carga, sin sello verde, de cuatro dígitos, de lunes a viernes. Fuentes Fijas: no aplica. Leña Seca: prohibición de quemas agrícolas en toda la región metropolitana, entre el 15 de marzo y el 30 de septiembre. Actividad Física: no aplica. La contaminación del aire se mide de acuerdo con el Índice de Calidad del Aire referido a Partículas (ICAP) según D.S. Nº 59/1998 del Ministerio Secretaría General de la Presidencia de la República (MINSEGPRES) que establece la Norma de Calidad Primaria para Material Particulado Respirable MP10 y en especial los niveles que definen situaciones de Emergencia Ambiental. PUBLICIDAD Buena:0 – 99 Regular:100 – 199 Alerta:200 – 299 Pre-emergencia:300 – 499 Emergencia:500 – superior Las MP10 o partículas gruesas, conocidas también como partículas inhalables, son las partículas menores a 10 micrómetros pero más grandes que 2.5 micrómetros de diámetro que se encuentran en el aire y pueden ser generadas tanto por fuentes móviles como estacionarias, de manera natural o antropogénica, asociadas por lo general a la combustión no controlada y procesos de combustión en vehículos, industrias de fundición, pinturas, cerámica y plantas de energía. PUBLICIDAD Se recomienda en días de pre-emergencia y emergencia ambiental el uso de mascarillas en adultos mayores, niños, embarazadas y enfermos crónicos. Preferir el transporte público y/o compartir auto. Mantener los vehículos con la revisión de gases al día y cambiar el aceite del motor antes de su vencimiento. No fumar al interior de la casa, lugar de trabajo o estudio. Al comprar un calefactor, cerciorarse que esté certificado en cuanto a emisiones, eficiencia energética y seguridad. No quemar hojas ni basura. Denunciar a quienes no respeten las medidas adoptadas para los días de alerta, pre-emergencia y emergencia. Realizar mantenimiento a los calefactores con la periodicidad indicada por el fabricante. Uso adecuado de calefactores Usar siempre leña seca (menor a 25% de humedad), distribuida por comerciantes establecidos. Usar siempre leña picada, no quemar troncos enteros. En calefactores a leña, iniciar el fuego sólo con papel y astillas secas. En calefactores a leña, mantener el tiraje completamente abierto durante al menos 10 minutos después de iniciar el fuego o efectuar una recarga de leña. Revisar constantemente la salida de humo por el cañón de su calefactor o cocina a leña. Si es visible, abrir el tiraje de su calefactor para mantener una llama viva. Nunca cerrar completamente el tiraje de su calefactor. Evitar que en su cañón se forme una capa de creosota y hollín, ya que aumenta el riesgo de inflamación, disminuye la capacidad de calefacción y su estufa contamina más. Si es posible, cambiar el calefactor antiguo por uno de menores emisiones y mayor eficiencia. Privilegiar el uso de combustibles alternativos como: gas, electricidad, briquetas, derivados del petróleo, pellet, entre otros. Todos los comerciantes de leña deben contar con patente municipal, documentación tributaria y forestal, que acredite el origen lícito de la leña. Exija su boleta al momento de comprar leña. Con ella puede hacer valer su derecho como consumidor al cambio del producto o la devolución del dinero si no queda conforme con la compra.

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has certified the Environmental Impact Report and authorised the issuance of a Coastal Development Permit for the Tidelands Avenue Electric Truck Hub proposed by Skychargers, marking a significant milestone in the port’s efforts to advance zero-emissions freight infrastructure. T he Board has also authorised staff to sign a non-binding Term Sheet with Skycharger as lease negotiations continue. The proposed electric truck hub will support the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy, a programme designed to significantly reduce diesel pollution from maritime and industrial operations in and around the port and improve air quality for all communities surrounding San Diego Bay. The EIR, published for public review on January 29, 2026, analysed potential environmental effects across air quality, energy, hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, noise and transportation. Chair Ann Moore described the project as reflecting the Port’s continued commitment to cleaner air and a healthier San Diego Bay, highlighting the role of zero-emissions infrastructure in improving air quality while creating greater opportunities for the community to access and enjoy the waterfront. Commissioner GilAnthony Ungab framed the project as an investment in public health, expressing appreciation for the community engagement that shaped the proposal over the course of the review process. Andy Karetsky, CEO of Skycharger, expressed gratitude for the milestone following three years of community engagement and commissioner input, describing the charging facility as a means of jumpstarting the electric truck transition at the port and delivering cleaner air to communities that have long borne the burden of diesel pollution. He committed to being a good partner to the Port and the National City community and expressed eagerness to break ground.