I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I have read this elsewhere.
Myth 1:
Oil refineries are not being built in the U.S. because environmental regulations, particularly the Clean Air Act, are so bureaucratic and burdensome that refiners cannot get permits.
Fact: Environmental regulations are not preventing new refineries from being built in the U.S. From 1975 to 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received only one permit request for a new refinery. And in March, EPA approved Arizona Clean Fuels’ application for an air permit for a proposed refinery in Arizona. In addition,
oil companies are regularly applying for – and receiving – permits to modify and expand their existing refineries.[1]
Public Citizen Climate and Energy