Originally Posted by Foxfyre

So did it ever occur to you that what you are saying here is proof positive that the oil companies are NOT bribing scientists to deny global warming? Did it ever occur to you that oil companies are as eagerl to make a buck off global warming as much as anybody else? Oil companies are not in the business of providing oil. Oil as it comes from the ground has little use to anybody. Oil companies are in the business of providing energy in a usable form. So the oil companies are no more tied to oil than anybody else if they can figure out other ways to make money.

All the oil companies have been on the cutting edge of renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and bio. Recently ConocoPhillips invested mega millions to construct a new facility in Texas that converts beef fat for use as auto fuel and for other purposes. And don't think the oil companies aren't investing in mandated ethanol production even as they object to the principle of ethanol. (Ethanol is more expensive to refine for each unit of useful energy produced when compared to gasoline and diesel, it requires different storage tanks, pumps, and trucks, and must be transported by truck rather than piped.) But once oil companies are foced into making such investments, they don't want to see them go down the tubes.

A little common sense and following the money goes a long way to avoid making foolish errors in assessing the situation that currently exists.

So yes, if mega bucks are to be made--even when those paying bigger bills at the gas pump or whatever are us--the oil companies are not likely to refuse to jump on that bandwagon.