Task Force to Probe Refinery Capacity
By Tim Rausch, The Lima News, Ohio
Nov. 1–LIMA — A visiting state legislator wants a state task force to examine how Ohio can get more fuel production capacity. “You as well as people in my district were concerned when we saw gas prices easing and then spiking up to over $3 per gallon. We’ve had a little relief here in the last couple of weeks,” said state Rep. Stephen Buehrer, R-Delta.
Buehrer introduced a bill, cosigned by 22 other legislators, to create a 12-member Fuel Production Task Force. He highlighted the task force at Monday’s monthly news conference with state Rep. John Willamowski, R-Lima.
Buehrer said there hasn’t been a new refinery built in Ohio for more than 30 years. The state’s refineries are in Lima and the Toledo area.
“We’ve got to step forward from my perspective. It is one of the main drivers of price right now, the fact that we do not have enough refining capacity. We’ve seen from the storms in the south how vulnerable this country is,” Buehrer said.
Lima could be the site of increased capacity if Valero decides to embark on a joint venture with En-Cana to refine sour crude oil.
The task force will look at ways to get more refining capacity in the state, as well as examine the barriers to that. Buehrer said the task force will also look at bio-fuels. “Are there reasons Ohio is not a leader in this area as well?”
Lima is also the site for a proposed ethanol production plant.
If passed, the task force would meet for six months after the members have been seated. The bill calls for the task force to be made up of legislators, members of the public and designees from the Environmental Protection Agency director and Department of Development. Buehrer wants one of the members to represent the farming community and another to represent the oil industry.
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