Bernard:refine or spoilt?

In an attempt to place the refining of oil into perspective according to Mr. Bernard Wiltshire, we can safely conclude that Trinidad (Texas) has “a place…where there are oil refineries, and its called Cancer Valley (Alley).” It is unfortunate and certainly immature for anyone to construct such parallel without providing the reading public with empirical facts and scientific information to support the underlying argument pursued or projected. Very often when we cannot substantiate or provide truthful evidence in support of our opposing viewpoints, we resort to the sensational and fictional, or we distort factual information as long as it serves its purpose to misdirect the populace.

Accordingly, Mr. Wiltshire’s point of view which propels the argument that an oil refinery will ‘shatter the idea of Dominica being considered the Nature Island of the Caribbean,’ appears pointless, however, the unsuspecting, simple, and learning minds of Dominicans can easily fall prey to the oral debauchery radiating from mischievous self-professed leaders. There needs be mature discussions so that individuals can better understand and be empowered to make informed decisions about what is real, what is threatening, and what is fictional.

Therefore to bluntly align oil refining to cancer by referencing the ‘cancer alley’ allegory is a serious attempt to conjure a negative misinformed fear among the public for the sole purpose of breeding an anti-refinery stance from the inception. The dangers involved in such tactics are evident by the lackluster in our country’s development: the slow pace and overall lack of major investments for economic diversity and growth. The likes of Mr. Wiltshire have repeatedly attempted this coupe de grace on poor Dominica; when will it all change! Common Wilt!

As a nation we are challenged to seek economic development initiatives that are sustainable- environmentally protective, equitable, and profitable. The current issue surrounding the use of fossil fuels is the international cry of Global Warming, a phenomenon associated with the faster rate of release of greenhouse gases into the earth’s atmosphere to the rate of greenhouse gas use or absorption through the naturally occurring process of food synthesis (manufacture) in plants. We must note carefully that man himself is a major producer of greenhouse gases (Carbon Dioxide) a by-product of the life supporting act called respiration (food burning).

Through man’s actions of excessive use of fossil fuels [made naturally from decaying plants and animals living in ancient seas millions of years ago] and irresponsible harvesting of the earth’s forests, the balance of greenhouse gas release to absorption tips gradually causing a build-up of these gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat or prevent the dissipation of excessive heat build-ups causing devastating effects on modern habitats especially major climatic changes: more terrible storms as Katrina, hotter summers across France, typhoons ripping through Taiwan or polar ice caps meltdown raising sea levels across the hemispheres.

In Organic Chemistry at Sixth Form College in 1990, Mr. Felix Wilson taught that crude oil is the term for "unprocessed" oil, the stuff that comes out of the ground. In sum we learnt that on average, crude oils are made of the following elements or compounds: Carbon - 84%, Hydrogen - 14%, Sulphur - 1 to 3% (hydrogen sulphide, sulphides, disulfides, elemental sulphur), Nitrogen - less than 1% (basic compounds with amine groups), Oxygen - less than 1% (found in organic compounds such as carbon dioxide, phenols, ketones, carboxylic acids), Metals - less than 1% (nickel, iron, vanadium, copper, arsenic) and Salts - less than 1% (sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride).

Crude oils are such a useful starting point for so many different substances because they contain hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are molecules that contain hydrogen and carbon and come in various lengths and structures, from straight chains to branching chains to rings. There are two things that make hydrocarbons exciting to chemists: Hydrocarbons contain a lot of energy. Many of the things derived from crude oil like gasoline, diesel fuel, paraffin wax and so on take advantage of this energy. Hydrocarbons can take on many different forms. The smallest hydrocarbon is methane (CH4), which is a gas that is a lighter than air. By chemically cross-linking hydrocarbon chains you can get everything from synthetic rubber to nylon to the plastic in Tupperware. Hydrocarbon chains are very versatile and are all natural!

Over the past decades investments in crude oil (petroleum) exploration and extraction have quadrupled. The automobile industry, which depends on refined petroleum, introduced at snail’s pace new less oil-dependent technology to match the level of technological sophistication experienced in crude oil exploration and extraction. There is less and less fuel efficient or non-petroleum operated vehicles today when compared to the technically advanced systems and processes involved in oil exploration, extraction, refining, and storage. This disparity is the hallmark of the controversy surrounding the misdirected environmental dangers.

Public Citizen, whose mission is ‘Protecting Health, Safety and Democracy’ in the United States of America states the following facts; “In 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the average fuel economy of 2004 vehicles is 20.8 miles per gallon (mpg), compared to 22.1 mpg in 1987—a six percent decline. This decline is attributable to the fact that fuel economy standards have not been meaningfully increased since the 1980s, while sales of fuel inefficient SUVs and pickups have exploded: in 1987, 28% of new vehicles sold were light trucks, compared to 48% in 2004. Billions of gallons of oil could be saved if significant fuel economy increases were mandated. Improving fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles from 27.5 to 40 mpg, and for light trucks (including SUVs and vans) from 20.7 to 27.5 mpg by 2015 would reduce [US] gasoline consumption by one-third. Dramatic reductions in consumption will not only reduce strain on America’s refinery output, but also on Americans’ pocketbooks.” (http://www.citizen.org)

The reasoning behind the lack of new investments in oil refinery in the US is a very pertinent point for reflection in our small developing state. Bernard, in reference to the unnamed environmental concerns you would like to speak about, here is an extract from a US government public hearing that you should familiarize yourself with. According to Public Citizen it is a myth that oil refineries are not being built in the U.S. because of environmental regulations, particularly the Clean Air Act, [which] are so bureaucratic and burdensome that refiners cannot get permits.

They clearly state that ‘Environmental regulations are not preventing new refineries from being built in the U.S. The Committee on Government Reform Hearing, “Potential Energy Crisis in the Winter of 2000” 106th Congress, (Sept. 20-21, 2000) supports this fact and states that from 1975 to 2000, the EPA received only one permit request for a new refinery. And in March [2000], EPA approved Arizona Clean Fuels’ application for an air permit for a proposed refinery in Arizona. In addition, oil companies are regularly applying for – and receiving – permits to modify and expand their existing refineries.’ http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/useftp.cgi

In a more poignant viewpoint they dispel the myths that the U.S. oil refinery market is competitive and the United States has maxed out its oil refining capability. Public Citizen reports that the ‘…industry consolidation is limiting competition in oil refining sector. The largest five oil refiners in the United States (ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP, Valero and Royal Dutch Shell) now control over half (56.3%) of domestic oil refinery capacity; the top ten refiners control 83%. Only ten years ago, these top five oil companies only controlled about one-third (34.5%) of domestic refinery capacity; the top ten controlled 55.6%. This dramatic increase in the control of just the top five companies makes it easier for oil companies to manipulate gasoline supplies by intentionally withholding supplies in order to drive up prices.’

Furthermore they contend that ‘oil companies have exploited their strong market position to intentionally restrict refining capacity by driving smaller, independent refiners out of business. From 1995-2002, 97% of the more than 920,000 barrels of oil per day of capacity that have been shut down were owned and operated by smaller, independent refiners.’ It is evident that this additional capacity could allow for more available cheaper petrol to ‘better meet today’s reformulated gasoline blend needs.’

An oil-dependent county’s (as ours) social expenditure priorities sometimes limits research and development of more renewable energy sources. This means that in the short-medium term the consumption of fossil fuels in Dominica is unavoidable. At the same time we see profit margins for oil refiners reach record highs. Public Citizens informs us that ‘in the US, for every gallon of gasoline refined from crude oil, U.S. oil refiners made a profit of 22.8 cents in 1999. By 2004, the profits jumped 80% to 40.8 cents per gallon of gasoline refined. Between 2001 and mid-2005, the combined profits for the biggest five refiners was $228 billion’.

The question therefore lies in the existence of air, water, and soil quality protection laws in Dominica today. Mature discussions on the issue of oil refineries and the potential environmental dangers must revolve around the technology adopted, the location and the laws to protect (preventative), control (punitive) and finance (compensative) any deviations from the standards and requirements involved as part of the overall planning and implementation stages. Today our people both within and without the government system are reluctant to follow the guidance and facts provided by the Environmental Co-ordinating Unit (ECU) the official voice on environmental issues and protocols in Dominica. Instead we sensationalize our development agenda and fail to engage our people pragmatically.

Imagine some simple facts that could be shared with everyone but deliberately ignored by the traditional media. Crude oils are natural compounds-how is that incompatible to the nature isle image? The dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulphide released from oil refineries are released every unit of time in the Dominica’s air. Come on Bernard, have you ever visited our natural sulphur springs which ironically contribute to the fact that we are the Nature Isle of Dominica? This is evidently not an ‘[…] idea […] being considered […]’! And the most obvious of all, we consume high quantities and wide types of petroleum products everyday: bitumen (asphalt roads), cooking gas, lubricants, lubricants, lubricants, even the famous ‘Vaseline!’ And there are so many other products that come from oil, including crayons, plastics, heating oil, jet fuel, kerosene, synthetic fibres and tires.

In an attempt to gain the confidence of the poor rural man those who, upon rising to heights of power, position, money, and fame, miserably use the natural ignorance of the ‘rural’ man and the less-knowledgeable to launch their own need for national attention and political mileage. I urge Dominicans to resist the urge to be diverted from the real issues. Whenever you purchase that bottle of ketchup you are responsible for and must consider the potential environmental fallouts associated with the disposal of the waste glass; there are laws (Litter Act) which controls irresponsible actions and there are programs as Benjo’s Bottle Recycling Project which addresses the problem preventing the dangers from being realized. Do we stop purchasing ketchup as a result?

Well then why throw away a significant investment that produces all the products we currently import and use and fail to properly manage the storage and disposal of their generated waste or by-products? Are we aware that the biggest danger to our natural environment is the manner of which we dispose our waste? Are we stuck in the early 20th century when technological advancement or appropriate technology was not available? Can an oil spill not happen in Dominica with or without an oil refinery; after all are we not consuming the petroleum products this moment?

Today we are in the ‘best of times and the worst of times’, we have improved access to existing technology which we can better afford today, however, it is unfortunate to note that the leaders of the industrialized world are not committed to changing the status quo particularly in the oil industry. The Bush clan, the wealthy lifestyle, the inflated value of oil through market manoeuvres, the failure to invest in research and development to make more fuel efficient vehicles or invest in renewable energy is a mix of poor taste that endangers our environment and human existence on earth. Do you see the donkey or the horse drawn cart transverse our streets? Do you see the likes of Bernard driving the water or ethanol fuelled buggy? All of us drive SUVs, town cars, luxurious motor vehicles signalling the level of conversion of ideas, behaviours, and attitudes with our developed nations’ peers. We therefore put ourselves up for ridicule if ‘we are concerned about this greatly’ yet live an antithesis. Our words should not be inflated opinions lacking substance. Look out and get the facts, see the value of imports of petroleum based products: lubricating oils, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel fuel, heating oil, chemicals of various grades for making plastics in Dominica today, explain to the people why petroleum products prices are high and rising and allow people to come to the simple realization that it is our behaviours that endangers our environment most. To speak of vote-getting, shattering of idea of the nature isle, and renewable energy in the same breath is just poor taste. Implore all to get the facts, use it and use it responsibly.

The democracy we profess is callously attacked when we irresponsibly state that a government is vote-getting in pursuing the investment in oil refining. Any government is mandated to carry out its responsibility of bringing economic relief to its citizens. This mandate given in May 2005 does not require exceptional intelligence to recognize that only foolish politicians in power ignore the basic reason for their presence in a Cabinet. The Labour Party Government is therefore using its people’s mandate in working towards the production or manufacture of petroleum products that is already consumed in the Nature Isle. And will do so based on scientific facts and industry standards.

In Dominica we can embrace with confidence the government’s response to the escalating world oil prices with full knowledge that any path adopted requires the appropriate dialogue on the environmental and economic impacts anticipated. By importing only the crude oil we envision an immediate reduction in our import bill and a more competitive industry that will give rise to lower prices at the pump for us.

In the meantime see you at the pump…oops stable…, Bernard; well we hope!