You hit it right! Why we aren't building refineries as we speak (type?) is a mystery to me. I know there is a lot of drilling going on, but what good will finding oil do if we don't have refining capacity? And as long as I'm asking stupid questions why aren't we building nuclear power plants? Inquiring minds want to know exactly who is stopping the USA from developing it's energy resources. I'd hazard a few guesses but I'd rather hear the opinions of many here who are much smarter than I.
I don't think building refineries in the US would help much. If the world is producing at near maximum capacity, new refineries would just bid up the price of crude already on the market. The Arabs can see this. They are building new refineries to run their own crude and sell us upgraded (higher value) products.
And that is the frustrating thing I was just thinking about the other day. Is there any organized movement - at all - that is leading us away from the mercy of the oil barrons? Where is the nuclear? Where is the additional coastal drilling? Is anyone building more refinery capacity? Why not?
Why is this administration not blazing the trail to make it easier for companies to drill and build? Where is the national energy policy that might bring relief and cut the cord to terrorist states?
You can probably find out by going to the nearest Sierra Club office. Damn hippies and envirowhackos!