Value of US Refineries in a Fiscal Crisis

The US fiscal situation is unsustainable with increasing debt accumulation, leading to a potential crisis. Owning a permit to operate a refinery or other heavy industry in the US is extremely valuable in such times. Refineries are crucial as the country struggles to build new ones. Nuclear power plants and chemical plants with permits are considered cash cows due to the difficulty in establishing new facilities. Refining, over the cycle, is a lucrative business with high profitability.