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I have read in the Argus Leader's online site that it passed. I thought that it would be much closer than the current results. It was good to see it pass and hopefully the refinery gets the necessary permits and gets going. It will be a boost for southeastern South Dakota and the region. It will improve oil supply in the Upper Midwest, bring thousands of jobs (with the refinery and the side industries that may locate there), stronger tax base, and a better chance to keep our young people in South Dakota. There are issues too, environmental and social issues resulting from an influx of people. With planning and cooperation, instead of trying to pick fights, will solve these problems. With the tougher standards, this refinery can serve as a good model for current and future refineries.
Are the newer technologies used in oil refineries cleaner compared with a coal plant?
About 20+ years ago, the tree huggers got their foot in the door. Now don't get me wrong, conservation and our environment is a very important issue to me. However, once they got started, they went a little overboard.
Elk Point is a perfect example. 20 years ago, they could have built it and met all the environmental impacts for about $20 mil. Now, they're looking at building it for $10 Bil.
Emmissions are a concern. Smell is a concern. Astetics is a concern. They want it to blend into the environment.
At any rate, there is a big portion of cosmetic thing that they have to meet.
Some of these could be relaxed, allow them to build, but set up a deal that they have to meet all condition within 10 years of being brought on line.
They have simply made it too costly to build them. Millions in Permit fees and impact studies.
But to answer your question. Yes emmissions are a concern, but its a very small concern of many.
About 20+ years ago, the tree huggers got their foot in the door. Now don't get me wrong, conservation and our environment is a very important issue to me. However, once they got started, they went a little overboard.
Elk Point is a perfect example. 20 years ago, they could have built it and met all the environmental impacts for about $20 mil. Now, they're looking at building it for $10 Bil.
Emmissions are a concern. Smell is a concern. Astetics is a concern. They want it to blend into the environment.
At any rate, there is a big portion of cosmetic thing that they have to meet.
Some of these could be relaxed, allow them to build, but set up a deal that they have to meet all condition within 10 years of being brought on line.
They have simply made it too costly to build them. Millions in Permit fees and impact studies.
But to answer your question. Yes emmissions are a concern, but its a very small concern of many.
South Dakota must be doing a few things right. It now has the lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. according to the April statistics.
Is this town the one over in the south east side of the state ? Can someone tell me how they picked this location ? Just wondering , based on the new finds up in the Northwest corner ?
Is this town the one over in the south east side of the state ? Can someone tell me how they picked this location ? Just wondering , based on the new finds up in the Northwest corner ?
I don't think there's any drilling going on around there, but I could be mistaken. I think it was planned more on the distribution side of the argument. Easy access to several large towns around there.
I agree with Elk Hunter. The location for the Elk Point refinery would be close to the proposed Trans-Canada pipeline. The refinery would be close to Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, and a number of smaller towns to draw from for a labor force. The advanatage would be it being close to USD, which would provide science majors along with business majors for administrative functions. Southeast Tech and Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City will provide the mechanical workers. South Dakota State will be good with providing engineering personnel. There are some workers who have prior experiences and the refinery would be a good fit to them. It would be great from an economic standpoint.
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