It depends on exactly what they are refining, but for $1.5B, they should be able to build a decent size plant. 
Then their final product would also be worth more. 

Yeah refineries are expensive and need massive amounts of land. But you are correct about agenda pushing.

BlokchainB

When I was reading this article, I was thinking why dont they just do a pipeline like everywhere else?
Do they have enough crude oil to even justify shipping it?
Why dont they just build a small refinery at the location?
It would be many times cheaper, and then they would have a final product which would be worth more
These environmentalists are just pushing their agenda while using petroleum products, they dont realize how many things they own use it or were produced by it.

Politics_And_Law

High Court Hears NEPA Challenge for Proposed $1.5B Crude Oil Railway

When I was reading this article, I was thinking why dont they just do a pipeline like everywhere else?
Do they have enough crude oil to even justify shipping it?
Why dont they just build a small refinery at the location?
It would be many times cheaper, and then they would have a final product which would be worth more
These environmentalists are just pushing their agenda while using petroleum products, they dont realize how many things they own use it or were produced by it. 