State Sen. Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins, is promoting what sounds like an interesting, if controversial, idea: the construction of a “modular” oil refinery in Northern Colorado.

The political newcomer — who describes herself as a “fracking-loving person” — told an audience at a recent Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance luncheon that Northern Colorado should follow North Dakota’s lead and build refineries to lower gasoline prices.

“Without refineries being built, our gas prices are still going to remain high,” she said. “We’re going to be taking that oil and gas overseas to be refined … and then bringing it back here.”

“That puts quite a price on something that should be affordable,” she added.

Marble made her remarks at the NCLA’s annual agenda-setting meeting, which was held earlier this month. The NCLA is the lobbying arm of the Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland chambers of commerce and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp.

Modular refineries can process 30,000 barrels of crude oil daily for use in local markets, lowering gasoline prices, Marble said. The smaller refineries