Between 1985 and 2005, the number of U.S. refineries fell from 223 to 148. A new refinery hasn’t been built in this country since 1976. Through expansion and technology, refining capacity today is greater than it was 20 years ago (17,042 thousand barrels per day in January 2005 versus 15,659 in 1985). However, refineries are consistently running over 90 percent capacity utilization in recent years, compared to 78 percent utilization in 1985.
Source: Energy Information Administration