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California's low-carbon fuel standard has oil companies anxious
Sacramento Bee ^ | Apr. 25, 2009 | Dale Kasler

Posted on 04/25/2009 5:51:53 PM PDT by Lorianne

In car-crazy California, a new fuel standard ordered by state officials to curb greenhouse gases could dramatically change how vehicles run.

It also could have a huge effect on cost.

The petroleum industry and some economists say the new standard adopted by the state Air Resources Board on Thursday will cost motorists billions, because blending gasoline will become considerably more complicated.

But state officials and environmentalists say the "low-carbon fuel standard" will actually save Californians money by reducing oil consumption and ushering in a competitive new era of biofuels and electric vehicles.

The stakes are enormous. The price of fuel can have a significant impact on the state's economic health. When gas hit $4.50 last summer, it severely hurt tourism and caused delivery companies to impose fuel surcharges.

Gasoline now sells for a relatively affordable $2.35 a gallon on average, but the state's already strict fuel formulas create a delicate balance between supply and demand. Even minor supply glitches have caused big price spikes because only a small number of refiners make gas to California's specifications.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: californiaepa; greenhousegases
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1 posted on 04/25/2009 5:51:53 PM PDT by Lorianne
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To: Lorianne

If these morons are content with paying $10 a gallon for politically correct gas then let them. They vote for the clowns that impose these stupid standards and deserve every hit that comes from it.


2 posted on 04/25/2009 5:53:13 PM PDT by pnh102 (Save America - Ban Ethanol Now!)
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To: Lorianne

Give CA back to Mexico.


3 posted on 04/25/2009 5:54:07 PM PDT by bmwcyle (American voters can fix this world if they would just wake up.)
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To: Lorianne

—if I was an oil company, I’d just say goodbye and close the doors—


4 posted on 04/25/2009 5:54:35 PM PDT by rellimpank (--don't believe anything the MSM tells you about firearms or explosives--NRA Benefactor)
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To: pnh102

I have a better idea. How about the oil companies refuse to make these special new fuels and just stop selling oil to California?


5 posted on 04/25/2009 5:54:56 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Lorianne; thackney
Will any oil refiner have enough guts to say to Calbania, "OK, fine. We just won't sell any gasoline in this state"?

It's not like they can't pipe gasoline elsewhere, now is it? Although they'll take a hit (short-term) on sales, and long-term on piping cost, they'll make up a good chunk of it by not having to produce Calbania's weird collection of boutique blends.

Hack, d'ya still have that map showing how many blends Calbania requires, by statute?

6 posted on 04/25/2009 5:55:14 PM PDT by SAJ
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To: Lorianne
The refining companies should just say "Sorry, there's no money in this for us. We're not going to make it."

Then let Californians walk.

L

7 posted on 04/25/2009 5:55:15 PM PDT by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: Lorianne

I sure wish California would isolate itself. Build it’s own ultra expensive refineries and supply all its own fuel. Don’t drag the rest of us down with higher prices for their idiocy, jeez.


8 posted on 04/25/2009 5:56:04 PM PDT by Tolsti2
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To: Spktyr; rellimpank

GMTA, gents!


9 posted on 04/25/2009 5:56:06 PM PDT by SAJ
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To: Lorianne

“Low carbon” gasoline, that is to LOL.


10 posted on 04/25/2009 5:56:41 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Beat a better path, and the world will build a mousetrap at your door.)
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To: Spktyr
I have a better idea. How about the oil companies refuse to make these special new fuels and just stop selling oil to California?

The really hilarious part is the libs just never learn. They keep electing the same libs over and over again. My only conclusion is that they must enjoy this kind of existence.

Kinda reminds me of the morons in DC who vote Democrat year after year and are now whining about losing their school vouchers.

11 posted on 04/25/2009 6:00:41 PM PDT by pnh102 (Save America - Ban Ethanol Now!)
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To: Lorianne
Meanwhile, oil is just seeping up out of the ground off the coast of Santa Barbara.

So much so that there is an effort underway to Stop Oil Seep. (Note the source)

Stop Oil Seep California

12 posted on 04/25/2009 6:01:24 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. -- Texas Eagle)
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To: Lorianne
But the air board decided that corn ethanol is not so great for limiting greenhouse gases. The argument goes like this: Eager to cash in on ethanol demand, farmers around the world plow up grasslands and chop down trees to make way for corn, a process that releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

More "feel good" liberal unintended consequences. Not that it matters to me because I don't care how much CO2 is released.

13 posted on 04/25/2009 6:01:57 PM PDT by uptoolate (Shhh. If you listen real hard, God is speaking to America.)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
It is so telling to listen to Obama and crew describe how their version of reality works. For example, municipal bidding and highway projects take a long time. Obama gets away with saying in a speech that the stim-pack was already yielding results in these areas (yeah, I need to find my documented proof).

I just think it is continually amazing how small minded these polits are and how a nation's wealth is created.

14 posted on 04/25/2009 6:03:31 PM PDT by Voter62vb
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To: Lorianne
It is to laugh. The reporter actually bought into the thought that these rules will be "ushering in a competitive new era of biofuels and electric vehicles"

Not that such things won't work, but did the writer notice that California is deep into it's third year of major drought with agriculture being shut down all over the place due to a lack of water.

And electric cars? California does not now have sufficient electric power for ordinary business to say nothing of millions of electric cars.

They'd need to import both biofuels and electricity ~ but that's not going to happen.

15 posted on 04/25/2009 6:05:18 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Lorianne

Just raise your price. No need for concern.


16 posted on 04/25/2009 6:05:43 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: bmwcyle
Give CA back to Mexico.

A lot of good Californians who gave their lives for this country and their beloved state would take issue with that statement.

Give up one state, and you'll lose a lot more. Where do you plan to draw the line?

17 posted on 04/25/2009 6:12:36 PM PDT by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: rellimpank
—if I was an oil company, I’d just say goodbye and close the doors—

You took the words right out of my mouth.

The article claims that there are already only a few refineries who blend gasoline to California's standards. This stupid law may push a couple of them to throw in the towel.

On the other hand, the refineries may just say, "fine with us, but it's gonna cost ya".

18 posted on 04/25/2009 6:16:05 PM PDT by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

“Low carbon” gasoline, that is to LOL.
*********************************************
It’s no diferent than mandating bread with no flour...


19 posted on 04/25/2009 6:16:06 PM PDT by Neidermeyer
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To: Lorianne

Sell gas to the CA sheep for $10/gallon. The rest of us can get it for under 2 bucks. Wait for the idiotic dhimmicrat legislature to mandate a lower price. Then just leave the idiots to use their bikes. Monitor the Hollywood freaks to insure that they don’t use their jets. The ensuing civil war should be delightful to watch.

Schadenfreude


20 posted on 04/25/2009 6:35:54 PM PDT by Da Coyote
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