A study shows that LCFS implementation in the United States would create more carbon emissions. The study— conducted by the Barr Engineering Company for NPRA— directly contradicts the argument of LCFS advocates, who claim LCFS fuels are “cleaner” and emit lower quantities of greenhouse gases than Canadian crude oil.
So how many more tons of carbon emissions could be thrown into the atmosphere at the behest of LCFS advocates? The answer: up to 19.1 metric tons per year!
LCFS would stop American refiners from importing Canadian oil— and the U.S. would be forced to purchase petroleum from the Middle East and other crisis-ridden areas. Our friends to the north—the Canadians— would switch and sell oil to China. Tankers— instead of pipelines—would then be used as the primary conveyance mechanism for petroleum.
In the ensuing “great oil shuffle”— the heavy usage of tankers would create a higher amount of greenhouse gas emissions than conventional pipeline usage. Good Canadian oil formerly consumed in U.S. markets would be shipped to non-LCFS nations. In the process, we fall on the losing end of a strategic North American energy partnership.
It’s a game of “bait and switch” and LCFS advocates need to understand one thing: let’s keep petroleum flowing into America from our Canadian friends. The last thing America needs is more oil from some of the world’s most unstable regions.
