Energy sources

To get a better idea on how many jobs are created by the fracking process in North Dakota, consider the new refinery being built in Dickenson, ND. It will process 20,000 barrels per day and employ 90 full time employees most of which have already been hired. Another refinery of similar size is breaking ground and others are scheduled. Considering North Dakota produces over one million barrels per day it will take a lot of refineries. In addition many other jobs are created to manufacture replacement parts along with loading and transportation facilities. There are 142 refineries in the US but most are set up to refine the heavy oil that has been imported over the past 50 years and the new oil coming out of North Dakota is light and it would require a large expense and considerable time to change over. That is the reason why the US still imports oil. Current law prohibits the US from exporting oil but that will change with the new congress and imports will be offset by exports. In time the refineries will change and most of the domestic oil will be refined here in the US and if the government co-operates the country will be energy self-sufficient and no longer have to cater to countries in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia.