[Yo-Yo]

You and I have had this conversation before. The "reason" for alternative energy sources such as wind and solar is to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. It makes more sense to me from a security standpoint, if not a purely economic one, to convert refineries to use the crude we produce within our borders, rather than sell it overseas and import crude we don't produce.

Yours is a 'next quarter' economic strategy, not a long term energy independence strategy.

[thackney]

We don't have nationalized refinery companies. Companies are in it to make profit. They don't shut down existing refinery units using cheap oil to build new ones that use expensive oil. Why does the government get to pick and choose who is allowed to export? Why is the industry allowed to send crude oil through a "splitter" and export both ends but the oil producer is not? We need less government in our industry. The government should not be picking winners and losers. I want a smaller government, you want more.

Do you want the government to decide who you are allowed to sell your products to?

In the long run, the american consumer benefits from lower cost with less government.

[thackney]

The "reason" for alternative energy sources such as wind and solar is to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

False. We don't use oil to generate electrical power. The small amount of petroleum used in power generation is essentially all refineries leftovers like petroleum coke and residual oil. It cannot be used for fuel for cars and trucks. It doesn't effect the amount of oil we use.