I've Seen This Before

Resistance is futile.

EPA Penalizes Refiners For Failing to Use Fuel That ‘Does Not Exist’

{Bold: mine}

Companies supplying motor fuel will have to pay approximately $6.8 million in fines to the Treasury because they failed to “mix a special type of biofuel into their gasoline and diesel,” writes Matthew L. Wald of the New York Times.

However, the fine isn’t the worst part. The worst part is the fact that the refiners could have tried everything in their power to remain in compliance with standards set by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, and it might not have mattered.

Why? Because there is not enough of this “special type of biofuel” to go around. In fact, with the exception of some scattered workshops and laboratories, “the ingredient, cellulosic biofuel, does not exist,” according to the Times report.

And the penalties go up next year. Remember that when you're paying over $4/gallon at the pump because the companies are going to have to come up with the cash for the penalties to pay those fines.

I ran into this type of situation with the EPA about 20 years ago with my old oil company. We had a customer with an underground storage tank that was old and leaking. We worked out a deal with the owner for a long term no interest loan to replace the tank as she only owned one well that produced about 3 bbls. per day.

It may be hard to remember, but the price of oil back then was around $8/bbl. and our crappy oil only got around $6/bbl.

This is where the EPA stepped in. In order for up to get the permits to replace the tank, we had to install some monitoring technology they wanted...problem was the technology did not exist.

So for another 15 years, when the company finally folded, the tank continued to weep.

New Look

Hadn't been by in quit a while and they gave me new toys to play with so I desided to play and see if I like this style better.

Too Much

Overwhelmed or just burned out. You pick. I just couldn't bring myself to post for the last few months. I think I'm over that now. The country, right this moment is in the middle of tearing itself apart over the next Republican nominee for president.

I, being a Non-Romney have been racking my self senseless trying to figure out who to support over the last month. I have arrived at no conclusion after Iowa, and New Hampshire outside of not voting for Luap Nor (that's Ron Paul for those outside the Empire), but I'd vote for him over Obama.

I'm coming back, so give me a day and I'll start posting again.

Dear Mr. President

You are wasting my time.

The economy is in the tank (0 jobs created...or saved this month)and I was looking forward to your speech on creating much needed jobs...as soon as you finished your vacation.

Now that you have returned I am told that your speech will offer NO specifics, just an overview of what you think should be addressed to improve the job market.

We have heard this speech 5,632 times over the last three years and frankly it bores the hell out of me. Nothing but generalizations about "Green Jobs" ($535 million stimulus to Solyndra and still goes bankrupt), getting banks to loosen up credit to people that can't afford to repay the loan (my house lost another 1.5% in value this month due to foreclosures)and in typical Democratic logic, promising to reduce regulations that hinder companies from committing to new hires (enacting 5 job killing regs then delaying the implementation of 2 of them).

First you request to address a joint session of congress on the day the GOP debate is scheduled that includes the newest candidate that is racing up the polls (I'm sure you weren't even aware he threw his hat in the ring being you were so focused on creating jobs)which was rightly turned down, but you will accept doing it one day later...and you'll start really early so as not to interfere with the start of the premier MNF game.

If the conflict had arisen, I would have watched the debate, and if you haven't finished by kickoff, I'm switching to the game.

Decision Making

OMG!!!

I'm listening to pResident Obambi do a presser with Mexico's pResident Calderon.

I swear these guys would have invaded Europe on June 7th at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

OMG! Reality Smacks MSNBC In The Head

I'm guessing someone didn't vet this guy before they let him on.

Even though the LSM is celebrating the "grass root movement" (note: not anything like the racist angry populous movement in the U.S. called the "Tea Party") that has toppled Mubarak peacefully (so far) and left nothing but a military junta in it's place with no discernible goals, parties or what the hell they are going to do next.

Watch the faces of the hosts while this guy lays out the reality of what is happening, the disjointed reaction of Obambi and his people and that most likely the whirling blades of the ventilation unit hasn't met with the waste product yet.

And All Logic Has Now Left The Building

From our cousins across the pond:

Shed owners warned wire on windows could hurt burglars

A spate of thefts in several towns and villages in Kent and Surrey over the past few months led to many householders taking action to protect their property.

Some have been warned by police that using wire mesh to reinforce shed windows was ''dangerous’’ and could lead to criminals claiming compensation if they ''hurt themselves’’.

Trespassing and burglary don't factor in. You are held accountable for some asshat cutting his hand trying to pry off the wire mesh from your shed so he can take your property.

F.E.T.E.

Super Bowl Sunday

At the end of December, I bought a new 47" HDTV and I was jazzed that I was going to be able to watch the Super Bowl with a huge screen and surround sound...Up until about 5 days ago when it dawned on me I'm working days that weekend.

I get to sit in my crappy office with a 13" POS TV with lousy speakers having to scoot in and out to deal with the facility.

Sometimes life just sucks.