Sinclair Comes Through for Us.....Again

[Wrinkle]

Last year's EPA fine didn't make the point well enough, I guess...

Sinclair Pays Fine For Air Violations

So, it does really appear to be a cultural problem for them, and, more particularly, us.

I guess these are the pending 'improvements' we've heard about that were forthcoming.

[cannon_fodder]

I'm guessing they intentionally blew off EPA guidelines when the price of oil went nuts.  Right or wrong, it's simple math:  If revenue - fine = profit, then go for it.   I'm certainly not in favor of that strategy nor do I know if it is what really happened, but certainly the zeal of money to be made was behind it.

If you recall, last year we suffered from a refinery shortage thanks to some timely hurricanes (not the Golden kind).  Its rare for refineries to be able to dictate price (low margin industry) so I'm sure they jumped on it and kicked output beyond the capacity of their air scrubbers.  Funny thing is, everyone complains that they hold back supply - but at very least this disproves that.  Which make$ $en$e.

That said, the $150mil is a drop in the bucket compared to the BILLION they are pouring into that plant.  I'm guessing the work announced today was what was done a couple/three of months ago (major work but NOT part of the upgrade work).

One has to wonder what the effect of a $2.5 million fine is to a company spending 50 times that in improvements to one facility this year.  I'd like to think repeat offenders really get nailed - but I guess I don't know the whole story either.