Fire at BP refinery in Washington state might boost gas prices

[Newsjock]

Source: Seattle Times

A large fire broke out Friday at the BP refinery at Cherry Point, creating a plume of black smoke visible for miles.

... The refinery, which processes about 230,000 barrels of crude oil a day, is a critical part of the region's energy infrastructure.

The fire may lead to an increase in local gas prices, said Tim Hamilton, executive director of Automotive United Trades Organization, a nonprofit group representing gas stations and suppliers in Washington state. A 15-cent-per-gallon increase was already coming our way before the fire, Hamilton said.

... In 2010, state inspectors found 13 serious safety violations at the refinery, said Hector Castro, a department spokesman. BP did not appeal the citation. It paid a fine of $69,200 and agreed to correct the hazards.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017536723_refineryfire18m.html

[lonestarnot]

1. Funny how the damn things always blow or burn just as oil starts running up the flag pole.

[tridim]

3. Someone should investigate these clockwork coincidences.

You're right, it does seem to happen every time.

[Newsjock]

4. Random recent stories I found

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/17/refinery-operations-tesoro-saltlake-idUSH5E8D900F20120217
Tesoro says Salt Lake refinery fire quickly put out

Feb 17 (Reuters) - Tesoro Corp said a small fire was quickly extinguished on Friday morning in the crude distillation unit of its 57,500-barrels-per-day Salt Lake City refinery.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/15/4266212/city-manager-who-proposed-refinery.html
City manager who proposed refinery tax hike fired

Feb. 15 (AP) - EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- El Segundo's city manager has been fired after proposing an increase in Chevron oil refinery taxes. The City Council voted 3-2 in closed session last week to fire Doug Willmore, the coastal city's top administrator who was paid $218,000 a year.

[warrior1]

2. why should consumers

pay for their bad mistakes?

[Maine-ah]

5. jeebus, we're already paying more than most of the nation up here.

Gas and heating oil.