tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post112568324257898634..comments2023-10-18T11:04:13.946-04:00Comments on Connecticut Local Politics: Katrina: Connecticut Responds 2Genghis Connhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042849182723767087noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1125760167785070322005-09-03T11:09:00.000-04:002005-09-03T11:09:00.000-04:00The ConnecticutBlog has been providing detailed, d...The <A HREF="http://connecticutblog.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">ConnecticutBlog</A> has been providing detailed, daily comments on the failure and disinterest of the Bush administration in the crisis in the Southeast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1125704535803868252005-09-02T19:42:00.000-04:002005-09-02T19:42:00.000-04:00Quinn, In terms of dealing with the short term d...Quinn,<BR/><BR/> In terms of dealing with the short term disruption caused by the supply shock, biodiesel is not especially promising. However, I believe you are a bit off on some of your statements.<BR/><BR/> According to the National BioDiesel Board, the current production capabilities for BioDiesel were approximately 110 million gallons per year. However, the Oleo Chemical production is an additional 110 million gallons per year. This can easily be converted to biodiesel production. While this would only account for approximately 1% of the shortfall expected as a result of the refinery shortfall, in a situation of significant supply demand imbalance, this can be important.<BR/><BR/> In addition, while it has been twenty years since I did work in refinery modelling, my recollection is that refineries can fairly easily shift their mix of production from one form, such as diesel to another form, such as unleaded.<BR/><BR/> Granted a 1% increase in supply wouldn't do a lot to balance the supply demand ratio, looking at the larger issue of long term production is significant. Again, the National Biodiesel Board reports that the biodiesel capacity is largely modular and can be doubled or tripled in a reasonable time frame of less than 12 months. <BR/><BR/> Another consideration in biodiesel production is that biodiesel does not contain sulfer and faces much less community resistence in terms of building refineries and in the larger picture, the overall refinery production is the big issue.<BR/><BR/> So, I question the assertion that biodiesel is a 'red herring'. It has a smaller impact on the immediate problem but has the potential to have a much larger impact on the bigger picture.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1125703689329414382005-09-02T19:28:00.000-04:002005-09-02T19:28:00.000-04:00Heartless quote of the day (let them eat mud):“It ...Heartless quote of the day (let them eat mud):<BR/>“It makes no sense to spend billions of dollars to rebuild a city that’s seven feet under sea level.”<BR/>House Speaker Dennis HastertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1125692358052226052005-09-02T16:19:00.000-04:002005-09-02T16:19:00.000-04:00All year oil prices have been increasing largely d...All year oil prices have been increasing largely due to speculation, but also during the summer due to great demand.<BR/><BR/>Now we are experiencing a short-term supply shock. This has nothing to do with "profittering" but rather that there is much less gas available with the Gulf Coast oil operations knocked out. What little oil is available for sale commands a higher price by every link in the supply chain, including the major distributors and the local stations. Ultimately this higher price is paid by the consumer, not because of greed, but because of the absolute most basic tenet of economics: supply and demand.<BR/><BR/>Biodiesel, meanwhile, is a red herring to this issue. Biodiesel is part of a long-term solution. It can do absolutely nothing to lessen the effects of a short-term supply shock. Even if the states shipping turned immediately over to biodiesel, a complete impossibility, it would do nothing to allieviate the shortage for the vast majority of the state's citzens who drive cars that consume unleaded gasoline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1125692088288699402005-09-02T16:14:00.000-04:002005-09-02T16:14:00.000-04:00P.S. We should also give Mayor Malloy's campaign ...P.S. We should also give Mayor Malloy's campaign proper recognition. They have now added links to the Red Cross as well as to Stamford based AmeriCares.<BR/><BR/>Whether you think Mayor Malloy or Mayor DeStefano would be a better leader for our state, I hope you join with all of us in finding ways to help with the crisis in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1125690924800543222005-09-02T15:55:00.000-04:002005-09-02T15:55:00.000-04:00I would encourage people interested in fuel prices...I would encourage people interested in fuel prices to read <A HREF="http://energyoutlook.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Energy Outlook</A>, a great blog by a guy from Greenwich that really understands the energy market.<BR/><BR/>He talks a lot about how refinery output has been maxed out for a while and if we look at supply and demand, it isn't surprising to see that with 10% of refinery output shutdown we would have some serious problems.<BR/><BR/>I seem to recall that people ahven't been building new refineries. No one wants a refinery in their backyard. I am curious, however, about how BioDiesel could fit into the equation, and I would encourage people to look at <A HREF="http://www.biodiesel.org" REL="nofollow"/><BR/><BR/>Should we be doing more to promote BioDiesel in our state? I believe we should be.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.com