http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/33603.page Public Action I also feel we should not help with the price tag its a lot of money for an experment that might not work when the start it up.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1065052 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1065052 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1098631 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1098631 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1093814 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1093814 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1071417 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1071417 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063225 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063225 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063216 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063216 GMT
Some skepticism about Hyperion, and projects like it, is healthy, but it should be OPEN MINDED skepticism. There is far too much verdict first, evidence later going on here, far too much propaganda.

The opportunity here is for the Hyperion refinery at 400,000 barrels per day, to replace 20 percent of our imports, if my math is correct. And I welcome anybody to challenge that math, because I could be making a mistake someplace, but I follow energy closely, and this looks about right.

So, on the opportunity side, getting a refinery the size of Hyperion up and going will strike a large blow for energy independence. It could provide Siouxland a lot of high wage jobs. (Critics are saying Union County does not have those people now, but Siouxland kids will be able to get educated for those jobs, and stay in the area instead of going where the good jobs are.) And if you would reduce imports by 20 percent today, the price of oil would fall toward that $60 mark.

On the risk side:

Possible negative environmental consequences, and they should be explored in an objective fashion.

Can Hyperion get this done? Or will they get half done and run out of money? I would feel better about this if it were being done by somebody with more proven financial resources.


I suggest that the voters should not slam the door on Hyperion, but not give them a blank check either. Get better information on the environmental impact. Get better information on their financing. Get better information on whether these are really high dollar jobs in the $40,000 a year range, or $25,000 a year jobs.

But if you want to slam the door, do two things before you do. Go find an independent truck driver, trying to feed his family when diesel prices are so high, and tell him that you are going to vote no on something that has the chance to lower his fuel costs. Then go to the local high schools, and tell them that you refuse to explore something that might bring good paying jobs so they can stay in Siouxland.

I am not saying the opponents are wrong. But they certainly do not sound open minded]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063033 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063033 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063027 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063027 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063021 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063021 GMT
Those of us familiar with the area within and around the Hyperion footprint know that the refinery will sit directly over two major aquifers, which provide drinking water for many people. We also know that the area is drained by tributaries, including Brule Creek, which flow into the Big Sioux River, which empties into the Missouri. Wild life and aquatic life will probably be impacted and communities who get their drinking water from the Missouri River will be affected.

We’ve even learned from an ecologist at the University of MN who grew up in Sioux City that in all likelihood, the Loess Hills along the SD-IA border could act as a funnel to channel air pollution to Sioux City and beyond during certain prevailing weather patterns.

We know that Gov. Rounds father, Don Rounds, serves on the ‘Water and Natural Resources Board of the SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and we also know that he served as Executive Director of the SD Petroleum Council, which I believe was an oil lobby group.

My question is: Since the DENR issues water and air permits, and in view of the fact that Gov. Rounds is an enthusiastic sponsor of this refinery, how can we, the citizens of Union County, trust any SD state government agency to produce an unbiased evaluation for a project of this size and scope?


]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063018 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063018 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063015 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063015 GMT
An inaccurate statement was made on the SD FOCUS program tonight and not corrected --. A caller stated that refining capacity had not been increased in 30 years. It is true that a GREENFIELD refinery (one located on virgin land) has not been built in 30 years, but the refining capacity at existing refinery sites has been increased (by the industry's representative group's own numbers) by +200,000 barrels/day each year. If no new refining capacity had been added in the past 30 years, one of two conditions would exist: 1) an incredible EXCESS capacity 30 years ago, or 2) on-going shortages today. Since you can buy gas an nearly every station in the country, #2 is obviously not the case. Review of the capacity over the years will show #1 was not the case (we were coming out of gasoline shortages in the mid-70's!). Therefore, that argument is invalid.

While we can agree that the U.S. needs more refining capacity, that point has no bearing on whether Union Co. is the RIGHT place to put it. The proximity to rivers and the aquifer flowing under the whole of the central U.S. - and providing drinking water to many, many urban areas - is in itself reason to put the brakes on this thing. There is no evidence, beyond Hyperion's claims, that this facility could be as clean as they project. And the risk if it is not is too great - but that won't be known until it's too late.

This is a dangerous project. It amazes me how many people have been seduced by the promise of "economic development" and jobs (which by Hyperion's own estimate -- see Air Permit Application Appendix G -- only 32% could be filled locally). And by how many people see an acceptable price for this being other people's homes. Now THAT's selfish!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063014 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063014 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063011 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1063011 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1061624 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/posts/list/998610.page#1061624 GMT