NIMBYism a major obstacle

Don Stowers, Editor-OGFJ

The “not in my back yard” attitude of many Americans is hurting the ability of the energy industry to provide cheap and abundant petroleum products to fuel our homes, our cars, and our factories. It is also costing our country jobs by hindering the construction of much-needed power plants, refineries, LNG terminals, and other infrastructure required to keep the nation moving forward economically.

It is widely known that no new refinery has been constructed in the US since the 1970s. The only way in which we have been able to continue to supply gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum distillates for domestic consumption is through the expansion of existing refineries. Refineries are now running at 90% and greater capacity, and it seems likely that we are headed for spot shortages of diesel fuel and certain reformulated fuels required in some areas of the country by this summer.

It’s understandable that a family doesn’t want a refinery or LNG receiving terminal within earshot or close proximity to their home. However this is not the issue. The facilities would be constructed in industrial zones, not residential neighborhoods.

Opponents of infrastructure development are fighting to keep these facilities from being constructed in their states or the country as a whole. Many are “philosophically” opposed to fossil fuels or any industry they see as contributing to pollution or harming the environment. Apparently they are unaware of the strict laws and regulations that have been enacted over the past 30 to 40 years (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, etc.) that are enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies to curb the problems once common in the industry.

One also wonders how many of these pseudo-environmentalists continue to drive vehicles with internal combustion engines and buy groceries and other products delivered by trucks and trains that burn diesel fuel. Unless they are total recluses who make their homes in caves and live off the land, they are as much a part of the problem as you and I.

In a bit of NIMBYism you have to shake your head at, Sen. Ted Kennedy, a self-proclaimed proponent of alternative energy, has strongly opposed an environmentally-friendly “wind farm” off the coast of Massachusetts. The Cape Wind Project would erect 130 windmills in Nantucket Sound and provide three-fourths of the power needed by Cape Cod and nearby islands - power that is currently supplied largely by coal-fired plants. Because of Sen. Kennedy’s intervention, the project is all but dead.

So why does Kennedy oppose the project? The wind turbines would be about six miles off the coast from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis. Although the family wouldn’t be able to actually see the turbines from their home, they would be located smack dab in the middle of one of the family’s favorite sailing and yachting areas.

Behavior of this sort clearly shackles an industry that is trying its best to keep an economy that runs on energy from coming to an abrupt halt.OGFJ