We need refineries.
We could about triple the US domestic oil production before reaching the capacity of our existing refineries.
If we produce more domestic crude oil, we could import less from OPEC, which is where most of our imported oil comes from.
Also, we are expanding and upgrading many of the existing refineries. Some of those expansions are bigger than the average refinery.
Yes, we need refineries...
One thing totally amazes me is the underestimation - especially by the left - of our capabilities. If we made energy independence the #1 national priority it would not take years or decades we could have refineries and wells put up in no time.
The suggestion that it would take too long to matter is ludicrous on 3 counts. 1) if we tried we could do it faster 2) we have no idea how bad things may be in 3 years so why do nothing now and 3) doing something now will have a psychological effect on the market, and the current producers will pump out more.. and faster.. to exploit the current situation as much as possible before it fades away, further increasing supply and lowering price.
The naysayers seem to want to let high energy costs resolve themselves by destroying the worldwide economy. Lower demand is what they want. As usual, they try to dictate behavior and as always they will fail. It cannot be done.