Gas prices

[torch]

Ummm, not to put too fine a point on it, but the Keystone XL pipeline wouldn't help in the slightest, even if it were up and running today. KXL was to ship primarily Canadian crude to US refineries. Colonial delivers finished product from the refineries.

Nor did cancelling KXL impact US gasoline prices. US gas prices rose this winter because cold weather in the US south impacted refining capacity (there's that free market at work again!) And again, the same thing would have happened even if Keystone was up and running already, because, as noted above, KXL was to ship crude TO the refineries.

Now, one could argue that cancelling KXL will keep gas prices from falling at some point years in the future. It won't really impact the supply -- the oil is already traveling by train. But trains cost more than pipelines. So theoretically, gas could become cheaper if the crude costs less to ship.

Except that most of the crude isn't for US consumption. It's for export after being refined. Keystone XL -- the XL stands for "Export Limited". Yes, that's right: American landowners were being forced off their lands by a private company claiming eminent domain; not for the benefit of other Americans, or to reduce dependency on foreign oil but so that foreign oil could be sold to other foreigners for a profit. Oh, and the company that owns the pipeline? It's not even American. The "TC" in TC Pipelines stands for "Trans Canada".

See, I was paying attention. Were you?

 

[hagrid]

If only there was a central governing body that would control the entire petrochemical industry.

That would make everything more gooder. Low prices and ample supply!

 

[D2Cat]

If only there was a central governing body that would control the entire petrochemical industry.

That would make everything more gooder. Low prices and ample supply!

Or, just the opposite! Government controlling something cost more, those folks are not familiar with a zero based budget and enjoy spending money so they get more next year!

 

[hagrid]

Oh noes!

Well, I'm stumped. I just dont know how anyone can fix this! I really enjoyed the fuel prices of 2018 through 2020 compared to the last 3 months.

 

[skeets]

I think I heard that the Gov of Mich shut down the #5 pipeline up in Mackinaw

 

[BruceP]

How exactly is your President responsible?

I generally do not get political.... but it was reported that the current administration, in its zeal to UNdo everything of the past, had UNdone a cyber-security law regarding American national security. Obviously, some 'private' companies quickly ceased the cumbersome (and expensive) cyber-security behaviors.

I worked for a VERY large computer company for 30 years. EVERY employee had to take annual cyber-security training. EVERY password expires every 3 months and must be changed. Working From Home required a VPN secure connection. EVERY hard-drive on the network had to be encrypted. EVERY computer on the network had to pass cyber-security testing daily. (or would not be allowed to connect to the company network)

If a thumb drive was inserted into a computer anywhere on the company network... you would have a security-visiter by the end of the workday. THEY MONITORED EVERYTHING!!!!

In the end..... Cyber-security is a "doable" thing and companies can be hired to implement it for you.... but it is a PITA to change 20 passwords every 90 days and keep track of them. Some days, I spent more time figuring out how to work within the cyber-security framework than doing real work. IT COSTS MONEY!!!

 

[NHSleddog]

Ummm, not to put too fine a point on it, but the Keystone XL pipeline wouldn't help in the slightest, even if it were up and running today. KXL was to ship primarily Canadian crude to US refineries. Colonial delivers finished product from the refineries.

Nor did cancelling KXL impact US gasoline prices. US gas prices rose this winter because cold weather in the US south impacted refining capacity (there's that free market at work again!) And again, the same thing would have happened even if Keystone was up and running already, because, as noted above, KXL was to ship crude TO the refineries.

Now, one could argue that cancelling KXL will keep gas prices from falling at some point years in the future. It won't really impact the supply -- the oil is already traveling by train. But trains cost more than pipelines. So theoretically, gas could become cheaper if the crude costs less to ship.

Except that most of the crude isn't for US consumption. It's for export after being refined. Keystone XL -- the XL stands for "Export Limited". Yes, that's right: American landowners were being forced off their lands by a private company claiming eminent domain; not for the benefit of other Americans, or to reduce dependency on foreign oil but so that foreign oil could be sold to other foreigners for a profit. Oh, and the company that owns the pipeline? It's not even American. The "TC" in TC Pipelines stands for "Trans Canada".

See, I was paying attention. Were you?

You make it sound like the product isn't being moved. That is wrong. The product is still being moved, it is being moved unsafely on trains now instead of safely through the pipeline. One of the promises Xiden owed Buffet for.

 

[bmblank]

I think I heard that the Gov of Mich shut down the #5 pipeline up in Mackinaw

*Trying to* shut down. She said, "shut it down, or else," and they basically said, "No, we're good, thanks."
Her deadline passed just recently, so she's going to be stepping it up, getting courts involved. I've read an opinion saying that basically Michigan has no say in it, as it's an agreement between Canada and the USA (federally). As a Michigander who uses propane, I hope that opinion is true.

 

[torch]

You make it sound like the product isn't being moved. That is wrong. The product is still being moved, it is being moved unsafely on trains now instead of safely through the pipeline.

Please read again. I expressly pointed out that the product is moving by train right now.

As for comparative safety, I'm sure the residents of lac-Megantic would probably sympathize with your position.

 

[WFM]

(singular) the resident of Lac-Megantic

 

[random]

View attachment 59956

Safer than a lot of people have been doing!

 

[sardillim]

How exactly is your President responsible? A private company decided to shut down it's operations because some of their computers were infected with ransomware. The supply chain reacted by increasing the price of gas, like always.

This is private enterprise and the free market at it's finest: save money by skimping on security and gouge the customer for all you can get when there's a perceived shortage.

I know haters gotta hate, but come on man, put some effort into it! Make sure there is at least some possible correlation between the thing you hate and the story you spread.

 

[skeets]

Never let a crises go to waste, the stimulus checks, guns, gas fuel prices through the roof, farmers getting it up the wazoo, food prices on the rise. It seems to this old country boy at least, it is all about control, nothing more. Was the gas line hack a red herring? I dont know but somehow things seem to be somewhat suspect to me. I may not be the brightest bulb in the string, but there is some cognitive activity in the gray matter some days